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GIFT  OF 
Dr,   Horace   Ivie 


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ENGLISH 


OF 


THE     XIVTH     CENTURY. 


ENGLISH 


OF 


THE    XIV™   CENTURY, 


ILLUSTRATED     BY     NOTES,     GRAMMATICAL 
AND    PHILOLOGICAL, 


ON 


Gmttf^  prologue  anti  Migljl's  Cale* 

DESIGNED    TO    SERVE    AS  • 

AN    INTRODUCTION    TO    THE    STUDY    OF 
ENGLISH    LITERATURE. 

» •    •    .  »     ^    •         * » '  * 
.  •  ■, 

»  •         '  ^     •   •'       •>        o   ,        , 

•  •     •        J    >       '     •    ,     >   '  J     '  ">      > 

STEPHEN   H.  CARPENTER,  A.M., 

FROFESSOR     OF     RHETORIC     AND     ENGLISH     LITERATURE     IN     THE     STATE 

UNIVERSITY    OF    WISCONSIN. 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED    BY   GINN   &   COMPANY. 

1886. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  m  the  year  1872.  vy 

STEPHEN    H.    CARPENTER, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Wasbmgton. 


f.DUQATipN  DEPT 
GIFT  OF 


PREFACE. 


This  book  has  been  prepared  with  the  design  of  afford- 
ing the  means  of  a  critical  study  of  the  EngHsh  Language 
to  a  younger  class  of  pupils  than  have  hitherto  been  able 
to  pursue  it  profitably ;  and,  as  it  is  only  from  a  careful 
study  of  literature  that  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  a 
language  can  be  gained,  the  work  is  also  intended  to 
serve  as  an  introduction  to  the  study  of  English  Literature. 
I  have  therefore  endeavored  to  render  the  Notes  and  Glos- 
sary sufficiently  full  to  remove  every  difficulty  that  would 
meet  a  student  of  average  ability ;  intending,  if  erring 
on  either  side,  to  err  on  the  side  of  giving  too  much 
rather  than  too  little  assistance.  Particular  attention  has 
been  given  to  the  grammatical  construction,  in  the  belief 
that  the  true  way  to  study  a  language  is  not  from  the 
dead  rules  of  grammar,  but  from  the  living  forms  of  liter- 
ature. I  see  no  reason  why  the  English,  studied  with 
the  same  care  and  thoroughness  which  are  given  to  the 
ancient  classics,  may  not  afford  equal  mental  discipline  ; 
especially  if  an  author  be  studied  whose  archaisms  will 
prevent  the  common  error  of  mistaking  familiarity  with 
forms  and  idioms  for  a  critical  knowledge  of  the  structure 
of  the  language. 


vi  PREFACE. 

To  Chaucer  is  assigned  the  third  place  among  Eng- 
lish poets,  only  Shakspeare  and  Milton  ranking  above 
him  ;  and  yet,  to  the  mass  of  English  readers,  he  is  as 
much  a  stranger  as  yEschylus  or  Virgil,  the  slight 
archaism  of  his  language  being  sufficient  to  repel  all  but 
special  students.  It  is  no  credit  to  our  scholarship  that 
our  own  language  has  been  thus  neglected  in  our  higher 
courses  of  study,  whilst  such  ample  provision  has  been 
made  for  the  study  of  ancient  and  modern  tongues.  If 
this  volume  shall  serve  in  any  degree  to  awaken  a  more 
general  interest  in  the  critical  study  of  a  language  which 
need  not  fear  comparison  with  any,  either  ancient  or 
modern,  and  familiarize  our  students  with  an  author 
who  for  five  centuries  has  maintained  his  place  among 
the  great  poets  of  the  world,  its  object  will  be  fully 
realized. 

The  text  here  given  is  mainly  that  of  Morris,  in  the 
Clarendon  Press  Series,  to  whose  labors  I  am  much 
indebted  ;  occasionally,  however,  I  have  given  a  different 
reading,  for  reasons  given  in  the  Notes.  I  have  refei'red 
to  Morris's  edition  by  the  letter  M. ;  to  Tyrwhitt's,  by 
the  letter  To 

My  first  design  was  to  include  extracts  from  the  Vision 
of  Piers  Plowman  ;  but  as  the  diction  of  that  poem  dif- 
fers so  materially  from  that  of  Chaucer,  —  representing 
rather  the  language  in  its  transitional  state,  —  I  have 
deferred  an  edition  of  that  Poem  until  some  future  time. 

University  of  Wisconsin, 
October,  1872. 


CONTENTS, 


Introduction 

The  Prologue     

The  Knightes  Tale  .     .     .     . 
Notes  to  the  Prologue     ,     . 
Notes  to  the  Knightes  Tale 
Glossarial  Index 


IX 

I 

26 

93 
191 

253 


INTRODUCTION. 


LIFE   OF  CHAUCER. 

Of  the  early  life  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  but  little  is 
known.  Even  the  date  of  his  birth  is  uncertain.  Ac- 
cordins:  to  some  authorities  he  was  born  at  London  in 
the  year  1328;  by  others  this  event  is  placed  as  late 
as  1340.  His  writings  reveal  but  the  merest  glimpses 
of  his  personal  history,  so  that  the  only  authentic  data  for 
an  account  of  his  life  are  a  few  scattered  allusions  in  the 
public  records.  Both  Oxford  and  Cambridge  claim  the 
honor  of  his  education,  but  there  is  no  certain  evidence 
that  he  studied  at  either.  He  seems  to  have  been  of 
gentle  blood,  as  we  find  him  at  a  very  early  period  of  his 
life  attached  to  the  royal  household. 

In  1359,  Chaucer  joined  the  army  of  Edward  III., 
which  invaded  France  in  November  of  that  year.  In  the 
campaign  which  followed,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  but 
was  probably  released  upon  the  conclusion  of  the  Great 
Peace  in  1360.  In  1367  he  received  a  pension  of  twenty 
marks,  in  consideration  of  past  and  future  services. 
From  1370  to  13S0,  Chaucer  was  in  the  royal  service, 
being  employed  on  various  diplomatic  missions,  which 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

he  discharged  so  successfully  as  to  receive  additional 
tokens  of  favor.  In  the  prosecution  of  these  duties  he 
travelled  extensively,  visiting  the  Low  Countries,  and 
Italy,  —  then  the  resort  of  learned  men,  —  and  where  he 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  Petrarch,  then  in  the  full 
splendor  of  his  fome. 

Chaucer's  wife  was  PhilipjDa  de  Roet,  whose  sister 
Katharine  was  afterwards  wife  of  John  of  Gaunt,  the 
founder  of  the  powerful  House  of  Lancaster,  to  whose 
fortunes  the  poet  was  thus  naturally  attached.  While 
Richard  11.  was  under  the  influence  of  this  powerful 
nobleman,  Chaucer  enjoyed  the  royal  favor,  but,  as  the 
Duke's  influence  waned,  the  poet  was  reduced  to  poverty. 
Richard  11.  came  to  the  throne  upon  the  death  of  his 
grandfather,  in  i378«  Being  but  twelve  years  of  age, 
the  government  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  council 
composed  of  his  three  uncles,  the  Dukes  of  Lancaster, 
York,  and  Gloucester.  The  insurrection  under  Wat 
Tyler  was  hardly  quelled,  when  a  contest  arose  between 
the  nobles,  which  did  not  end  until  Henry  Bolingbroke, 
son  of  John  of  Gaunt,  ascended  the  throne  from  which 
Richard  had  been  deposed  by  the  act  of  Parliament. 

For  a  time  Richard  continued  the  favor  which  Edward 
III.  had  shown  the  poet;  in  13S6,  however,  Chaucer 
was  dismissed  from  all  his  offices,  and  his  pensions  were 
reduced,  for  some  reason  which  has  not  been  very  satis- 
factorily explained.  It  is  probably  owing  to  this  fiict  that 
we  possess  the  Canterbury  Tales,  —  the  work  by  which  he 
is  best  known.  His  active  and  cultivated  mind,  relieved 
from  the  cares  and  duties  of  public  life,  sought  a  more 
congenial  employment  in  literature,  which  he  had  already 
cultivated  to  a  degree  remarkable  for  that  age. 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

Chaucer  was  admirably  fitted  for  his  future  eminence 
by  this  varied  hfe,  so  rich  in  adventure,  —  now  with  the 
chivah-ous  hosts  which  conquered  the  armies  of  the 
French,  and  captured  their  king,  —  now  in  the  En^-lish 
Court,  at  the  head  of  which  was  Edward  III.  and  his  no 
less  illustrious  son,  the  Black  Prince,  —  now  in  diplo- 
matic service  abroad,  or  sitting  at  the  feet  of  the  greatest 
scholars  of  the  day, —  now  an  interested  witness  of  the 
troublous  times  which  ended  in  the  dejDosition  and 
tragical  death  of  Richard  II.  ;  and  finally  in  aged  and 
honorable  retirement,  writing  from  the  rich  fund  of  his 
varied  experiences  these  inimitable  Tales,  which  still, 
after  the  lapse  of  five  centuries,  are  as  fresh  as  a  spring 
landscape  after  a  shower. 

On  the  return  of  Henry  Bolingbroke  from  Spain,  Chau- 
cer had  once  more  a  powerful  protector.  His  grants 
were  restored,  and,  upon  the  accession  of  Henry  to  the 
throne,  largely  increased.  His  enjoyment  of  this  pros- 
perity, however,  was  brief.  In  1400,  a  little  more  than 
a  year  after  the  son  of  his  old  friend  had  been  raised  to 
the  throne,  the  poet  was  gathered  to  his  fathers,  full  of 
years  and  honors. 


GRAMMATICAL   OUTLINE. 

Chaucer's  English  is  substantially  that  of  the  present 
day.  It  difiers  from  Anglo-Saxon  in  being  analytic  or 
uninflected,  although  it  may  fairly  be  questioned  whether 
the  spoken  Anglo-Saxon  ever  fully  conformed  to  the 
cumbrous  inflections  of  the  written  lansfuasfe.  The  fol- 
lowing  brief  sketch  gives  an  outline  of  the  grammar  of 
Chaucer. 


xii  INTBODUCTION. 


NOUNS. 


Singular.  —  The  no77iinative  answers  to  the  modern 
nominative.  The  genitive  answers  to  the  modern  pos- 
sessive, and  regularly  ends  in  es ;  sometimes  this  case 
takes  no  inflection,  and  sometimes  it  ends  in  e.  The 
dative  denotes  the  relation  expressed  by  the  prepositions 
to  or  J~or ;  it  regularly  ends  in  e.  The  accusative  an- 
swers to  the  modern  objective,  and  regularly  ends  like 
the  nominative. 

The  Plural  regularly  ends  in  es ;  remnants  of  the  old 
n-declension  are  also  found  ;  some  nouns  take  no  inflec- 
tion in  the  plural. 

PARADIGMS. 

Sin^.  NoM.  lippe  hors  wjf  l^dy  assche  man 

Gen.  lippes  horses  wyfes  ladye  assches  mannes 

Dat.  lippe  horse  wvve  ladje  assche  manne 

Ace.  lippe  hors  wjf  lady  assche  man 

Plur.  lippes  hors  wyfes  ladies  asschen  men 


ADJECTIVES. 

Adjectives  have  two  forms,  —  the  Definite  and  the  In- 
definite. The  Definite,  preceded  by  some  definitive  word, 
terminates  in  e;  this  termination  is  usuall}^  dropped  in 
words  of  more  than  one  syllable.  The  Indefinite  takes 
no  inflection  in  the  singular,  but  the  plural  ends  regu- 
larly  in  ^,  which  is  usually  dropped  in  predicate  ad' 
jectives,  and  in  words  of  more  than  one  syllable. 


INTRODUCTION.  xiiJ 


PRONOUNS. 

Sing-. 

Tst  Pers. 

2d  Pers 

2d  Pers. 

NOM. 

I,  Ic 

thou 

he           she 

hit,  it 

Gen. 

min,  mi 

thin,  thi 

his           hire,  hir 

his 

DAT.     ) 

Acc.    5 

me 

the,  thee 

him         hir,  hire 

hit,   it 

Plural. 

NOM. 

we 

je 

thei,  they 

Gen. 

our,  oure 

joure,  jour 

here 

DAT.     > 

Acc.    5 

us 

JOW 

hem 

The  usual  relative  is  the  indeclinable  t/iat^  but 
this  pronoun  is  often  conibinecl  with  the  jDersonal, 
thus  :  that  Jic  =  who  ;  t/iat  Jiis  =  whose  ;  tJiat  him  = 
whom.  Who,  which,  wJiat,  are  regularly  interrogative, 
but  tvho  is  sometimes  used  indefinitel3\  The7'e  and 
where  are  sometimes  used  as  dative  neuters  of  the  and 
what.  Me  and  7nen  are  used  indefinitely,  like  the  Ger- 
man man. 

VERBS. 

In  the  inflection  of  the  verb,  final  n  denotes  either  the 
plural,  the  infinitive,  or  the  past  participle.  The  so- 
called  regular  verbs  need  no  further  explanation.  The 
irregular  or  strong  verbs  change  the  vowel  in  the  pret- 
erite ;  some  make  a  further  change  in  the  preterite  plural : 
as,  pres.  inf.  sfnitcn;  pret.  sing,  smoot,  pi.  siniten.  The 
subjunctive  in  both  tenses  takes  e  in  the  singular,  and  en 
in  the  plural ;  but  n  readily  drops.  The  imperative  sing- 
ular is  the  root  of  the  verb  ;  the  plural  usually  ends  in 
eth.  The  infinitive  ends  in  en;  the  n  frequently  drops. 
The  gerundial  infinitive,  or  dative  case  of  the  infinitive 
with  the  preposition  to,  occasionally  occurs,  as  to  see7ie^ 
to  see. 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 


PARADIGM. 

F 

'res. 

Pret. 

Tnd. 

Subj- 

Imp. 

Ind. 

Suhj. 

Sing.  I. 

helpe 

helpe 

halp 

holpe 

2. 

helpest 

helpe 

help 

halp 

holpe 

3- 

helpe  th 

helpe 

halp 

holpe 

PL 

helpe  (n) 

helpe  (n) 

(2)  helpeth 

holpe  (n) 

holpe  (n) 

Inf. 

helpe  (n) 

Pres.  Part. 

helpinge 

P.  Part. 

holpe  (n) 

Occasional  irregularities  will  be  fully  explained  in  the 
Notes  and  in  the  Glossary. 


PRONUNCIATION. 

Vowels. — A.  a,  a  as  in  French;  ?i\  ■==:  ah-ee,  z.^  aye ; 
au  ==  ah-00. 

E.  e  like  French  e;  e  as  in  met;  e  final  indicating 
oblique  cases,  feminine  gender,  plurals,  adverbs,  inflec- 
tions of  verbs,  to  be  lightly  pronounced ;  but  regularly 
elided  before  a  vowel  or  h ;  also  in  the  pronouns  hire^ 
he7'e^  oure,  yoiire.  This  rule  is  liable  to  exceptions.  Ea  as 
in  break  ;  ee  =  e  ;  ei  =  ai;  eo  =  e  ;  eu  =  //  ;  ey  =  ay. 

I.     Izz:^  ee ;  I  as  m  pit. 

O.  6  as  in  oar;  6  (i)  =  French  0 ;  (2)  =  ii,  as  so/me; 
(3)  =  00  as  in  7;wz'e.  Oi  =  00-ee,  as  French  om ;  00  =  0. 
Ou  (i)  =  60  as  loud  (lood)  ;  (2)  =  ^,  as  021s  (us)  ;  (3)  =^ 
a-00,  as  soul  (sowl). 

U.     u  =  u ;  u  as  i-n  hut. 

Consonants  as  at  present,  except,  — 

Gh  ■=.  German  ch^  sometimes  softened  to  a  "hissed  j." 
This  sound  is  represented  in  the  text  by  an  italic  v,  or  gh. 
H  final  was  also  a  guttural,  first  softened  and  then  silent. 

If  it  is  found  too  difficult  to  give  these  sounds,  read  as 
in  modern  English,  adding  the  final  e  when  necessary  to 
the  metre. 


CHAUCER. 


CHAUCER. 


THE  PROLOGUE. 

Whan  that  Aprllle  with  his  schowres  swoote 

The  drought  of  Marche  hath  perced  to  the  roote, 

And  bathed  every  veyne  in  swich  licour, 

Of  which  vertue  engendred  is  the  flour ; 

Whan  Zephirus  eek  with  his  swete  breethe  5 

Enspired  hath  in  every  holte  and  heethe 

The  tendre  croppes,  and  the  j^onge  sonne 

Hath  in  the  Ram  his  halfe  cours  i-ronne, 

And  smale  fowles  maken  melodie, 

That  slepen  alle  night  with  open  eyhe,  » 

So  priketh  hem  nature  in  here  corages  :  — 

Thanne  longen  folk  to  gon  on  pilgrimages, 

And  palmers  for  to  seeken  straunge  strondcs, 

To  feme  halwes,  kouthe  in  sondry  londes ; 

And  specially,  from  every  schires  ende  is 

Of  Engelond,  to  Canturbury  they  wende, 

The  holy  blisful  martir  for  to  seeke, 

That  hem  hath  holpen  whan  that  they  were  seeke. 

Byfel  that,  in  that  sesoun  on  a  day, 
In  Southwerk  at  the  Tabard  as  I  lay,-. 
Redy  to  wenden  on  my  pilgrimage 
To  Canturbury  with  ful  devout  corage, 
At  night  was  come  hi  to  that  hostelrie 


ao 


2  TEE  PROLOGUE. 

Wei  nyne  and  twenty  in  a  companye, 
Of  sondry  folk,  by  aventure  i-falle  25 

In  felawschipe,  and  pilgryms  were  tliei  alle, 
That  toward  Canturbury  wolden  ryde  ; 
The  chambres  and  the  stables  weren  wyde, 
Ant]  wel  weweven  esed  atte  beste. 

And  schortly,,  wli«,'(;n  the  sonne  was  to  reste,  30 

•So  hadde!  I  spoken  with  hem  everychon, 
TTiat  1 'Was' bf -hbr©'  fehiws'chipe  anon, 
And  made  forward  erly  for  to  ryse, 
To  take  our  weye  ther  as  I  yow  devyse. 
But  natheles,  whiles  I  have  tyme  and  space,  ss 

Or  that  I  forther  in  this  tale  pace. 
Me  thinketh  it  acordant  to  resoun, 
To  telle  yow  al  the  condicioun 
Of  eche  of  hem,  so  as  it  semede  me, 

And  which  they  weren,  and  of  what  degre  ;  40 

And  eek  in  what  array  that  they  were  inne  : 
And  at  a  knight  than  wol  I  first  bygynne. 
M      A  Knight  ther  was,  and  that  a  worthy  man, 
That  from  the  tyme  that  he  first  bigan 
To  ryden  out,  he  lovede  chyvalrye,  45 

Trouthe  and  honour,  fredom  and  curtesie. 
Ful  worthi  was  he  in  his  lordes  werre. 
And  thereto  hadde  he  riden,  noman  ferre. 
As  wel  in  Cristendom  as  in  hethenesse, 
And  evere  honoured  for  his  worthinesse.  50 

At  Alisandre  he  was  whan  it  was  wonne, 
Ful  ofte  tyme  he  hadde  the  bord  bygonne 
Aboven  alle  naciouns  in  Pruce. 
In  Lettowe  hadde  he  reysed  and  in  Ruce, 
No  cristen  man  so  ofte  of  his  degre.  55 

In  Gernade  atte  siesfe  hadde  he  be 
Of  Algesir,  and  riden  in  Belmarie. 
At  Lieys  was  he,  and  at  Satalie, 


THE  PROLOGUE.  3 

Whan  they  were  wonne  ;  and  in  the  Greete  see 
At  many  a  noble  arive  hackle  he  be*  60 

At  mortal  batailles  hadde  he  ben  fiftene, 
And  foughten  for  oure  feith  at  Tramassene 
.In  lystes  thries,  and  ay  slayn  his  foo. 
Tliis  ilke  worthi  knight  hadde  ben  also 
Sometyme  with  the  lord  of  Palatye,  65 

Ageyn  another  hethene  in  Turkye  : 
And  everemore  he  hadde  a  sovereyn  prys. 
/And  though  that  he  was  worthy,  he  was  wys, 
And  of  his  port  as  meke  as  is  a  mayde. 
He  nevere^it  no  vilonye  ne  sayde  70 

In  al  his  lyf,  unto  no  maner  wight. 
He  was  a  verray  perfi^/^t  gcntil  knight. 
But  for  to, telle  _)'Ou  of  his  array, 
His  hors  was  good,  but  he  ne  was  nou^y^t  ^iiy- 
Of  fustyan  he  werede  a  gepoun  75 

Al  bysmotered  with  his  habergeoun. 
For  he  was  late  ycome  from  his  viage, 
And  wente  for  to  doon  his  pilgrimage. 

With  him  thcr  was  his  sone,  aj/ong  SquYER, 
A  lovyere,  and  a  lusty  bacheler,  80 

With  lokkes  crulle  as  they  were  leyde  in  presse. 
Of  twenty  j^eer  of  age  he  was  I  gesse. 
Of  his  stature  he  was  of  evene  lengthe. 
And  wonderly  delyvere,  and  gret  of  strengthe. 
And  he  hadde  ben  somtyme  in  chivachie,  85 

In  Flaundres,  in  Artoys,  and  Picardie, 
And  born  him  wel,  as  in  so  litel  space, 
In  hope  to  stonden  in  liis  lady  grace. 
Embrowded  was  he,  as  it  were  a  mede 
Al  ful  of  fresshe  floures,  white  and  reede.  9° 

Syngynge  he  was.  or  floytynge,  al  the  day ; 
He  was  as  fressli  as  is  the  moneth  of  May. 
Schort  was  his  goune,  with  sleeves  longe  and  wyde. 


4  THE  PROLOGUE 

Wei  cowde  he  sitte  on  hors,  and  faire  ryde. 
He  cowde  songes  make  and  wel  endite,  95 

Juste  and  eek  daunce,  and  wel  purtraye  and  write. 
So  bote  he  lovede,  that  by  nightertale 
He  sleep  nomore  than  doth  a  nightyngale. 
Curteys  he  was,  lowely,  and  servysable, 
And  carf  byforn  bis  fadur  at  the  table.  100 

'*'    A  Ieman  hadde  be,  and  servantes  nomoo 
At  that  tynie"",  for  him  luste  ryde  soo  ; 
And  he  was  clad  in  coote  and  hood  of  grene. 
A  shef  of  pocok  arwes  brighte  and  kene 
Under  his  belte  he  bar  ful  thriftily.  105 

Wel  cowde  he  dresse  his  takel  j^omanly ; 
His  arwes  drowpede  nou^//t  with  fetheres  lowe. 
And  in  his  bond  he  bar  a  mighty  bowe. 
A  not-heed  hadde  he  with  a  broun  visage. 
Of  woode-craft  wel  cowde  he  al  the  usage.  no 

Upon  his  arm  he  bar  a  gay  bracer, 
And  by  his  side  a  swerd  and  a  bokeler, 
And  on  that  other  side  a  gay  daggere, 
Harneysed  wel,  and  scharp  as  poynt  of  spere  ; 
A  Cristofre  on  his  brest  of  silver  schene.  us 

An  horn  he  bar,  the  bawdrik  was  of  grene  ; 
A  forster  was  he  sothly,  as  I  gesse. 

Ther  was  also  a  Nonne,  a  Prioresse, 
That  of  hire  sm3dyng  was  ful  symple  and  coy ; 
Hire  gretteste  00th  ne  was  but  by  seynt  Loy ;  120 

And  sche  was  cleped  madame  Englentyne. 
Ful  wel  sche  sang  the  servise  divyne, 
Entuned  in  hire  nose  ful  semely  ; 
And  Frensch  sche  spak  ful  faire  and  fetysly, 
After  the  scole  of  Stratford  atte  Bowe,  125 

For  Frensch  of  Parys  was  to  hire  unknowe. 
At  mete  wel  i-taught  was  sche  withalle  ; 
Sche  leet  no  morsel  from  hire  lippes  falle, 


THE   PROLOGUE.  5 

Ne  wette  hire  fyngres  in  hire  sauce  deepe. 

Wei  cowde  sche  carle  a  morsel,  and  wel  keepe,  130 

That  no  drope  ne  fil  uppon  hire  breste. 

In  curtesie  was  set  ful  moche  hire  leste. 

Hire  overlippe  wypede  sche  so  clene, 

That  in  hire  cuppe  was  no  ferthing  sene 

Of  greece,  whan  sche  dronken  hadde  hire  draughte.      135 

Ful  semely  after  hire  mete  sche  raughte, 

And  sikerly  sche  was  of  gret  disport, 

And  ful  plesant,  and  amyable  of  port. 

And  peynede  hire  to  countrefete  cheere 

Of  court,  and  ben  estatlich  of  manere,  140 

And  to  ben  holden  digne  of  reverence. 

But  for  to  speken  of  hire  conscience, 

Sche  was  so  charitable  and  so  pitous, 

Sche  wolde  weepe  if  that  sche  sawe  a  mous 

Caught  in  a  trappe,  if  "It  were  deed  or  bledde,  145 

Of  smale  houndes  hadde  sche,  that  sche  fedde 

With  rosted  fleissh,  or  my  Ik  and  wastel  breed. 

But  sore  wepte  sche  if  oon  of  hem  were  deed, 

Or  if  men  smot  it  with  a  3'erde  smerte  : 

And  al  was  conscience  and  tendre  herte.  150 

Ful  semely  hire  wymple  i-pynched  was  ; 

Hire  nose  tretys  ;  hire  eyen  greye  as  glas  ; 

Hire  mouth  ful  smal,  and  therto  softe  and  reed ; 

But  sikerly  sche  hadde  a  fair  forheed. 

It  was  almost  a  spanne  brood,  I  trowe  ;  iss 

For  hardily  sche  was  not  undergrowe. 

Ful  fetys  was  hire  cloke,  as  I  was  waar. 

Of  smal  coral  aboute  hire  arm  sche  baar 

A  peire  of  bedes  gauded  al  with  grene  ; 

And  theron  heng  a  broch  of  gold  ful  schene,  160 

On  which  was  first  i-write  a  crowned  A, 

And  after.  Amor  vincit  omnia. 


6  THE  PROLOGUE. 

Another  Nonxe  with  hire  hadde  sche, 

That  was  hire  chapelleyn,  and  Prestes  thre. 

t    A  Monk  ther  was,  a  fair  for  the  inaistrie,  165 

An  out-rydere,  that  lovede  venerye  ; 

A  manly  man,  to  ben  an  abbot  able. 

Full  many  a  deynte  hors  hadde  he  in  stable : 

And  whan  he  rood,  men  mighte  his  bridel  heere 

Gynglen  in  a  whistlyng  wynd  as  cleere,  170 

And  eek  as  lowde  as  doth  the  chapel  belle. 

Ther  as  this  lord  w^as  kepere  of  the  selle, 

The  reule  of  seynt  Maure  or  of  seint  Beneyt, 

Bycause  that  it  was  old  and  somdel  streyt, 

This  ilke  monk  leet  olde  thinges  pace,  17s 

And  held  after  the  newe  world  the  trace. 

HejKaf  nat  of  that  text  a  pulled  hen, 

That  seith,  that  hunters  been  noon  holy  men ; 

Ne  that  a  monk,  whan  he  is  reccheles 

Is  likned  to  a  fissch  that  is  waterles  ;  180 

This  is  to  seyn,  a  monk  out  of  his  cloystre. 

But  thilke  text  held  he  not  worth  an  ovstre. 

And  I  seide  his  opinioun  w^as  good. 

What  schulde  he  studie,  and  make  himselven  wood, 

Uppon  a  book  in  cloystre  alway  to  powre  ;  1S5 

Or  swynke  with  his  handes,  and  laboure, 

As  Austyn  byt?     How  schal  the  world  be  served? 

Lat  Austyn  have  his  swynk  to  him  reserved. 

Therfore  he  was  a  pricasour  aright ; 

Greyhoundes  he  hadde  as  swifte  as  fowel  in  flight ;         190 

Of  prikyng  and  of  huntyng  for  the  hare 

Was  al  his  lust,  for  no  cost  wolde  he  spare. 

I  saugh  his  sieves  purfiled  atte  honde 

With  grys,  and  that  the  fyneste  of  a  londe. 

And  for  to  festne  his  hood  under  his  chvnne  195 

He  hadde  of  gold  y-wrought  a  curious  pynne : 


THE  PROLOGUE.  7 

A  love-knotte  in  the  grettere  cnde  ther  was. 

His  heed  was  balled,  and  schon  as  eny  gUis, 

And  eek  his  face  as  he  hadde  ben  anoynt. 

He  was  a  lord  ful  fiit  and  in  good  poynt ;  200 

His  eyen  steepe,  and  rollyng  in  his  heede, 

That  stemede  as  a  forneys  of  a  leede  ; 

His  bootes  souple,  his  hors  in  gret  estate. 

Now  certeinly  he  was  a  fair  prelate  ; 

He  was  not  pale  as  a  for-pyned  goost.  205 

A  fat  swan  lovede  he  best  of  eny  roost. 

His  palfray  was  as  broun  as  is  a  berye. 

p,  A  Frere  ther  was,  a  wantoun  and  a  merye, 

A  lymytour,  a  fid  solenipne  man. 

In  alle  the  ordres  foure  is  noon  that  can  210 

So  moche  of  daliaunce  and  fair  langage. 
/He  hadde  i-mad  ful  many  a  mariage 
X)f  j/onge  wymmen,  at  his  owne  cost. 

Unto  his  ordre  he  was  a  noble  post. 

Ful  wel  biloved  and  famulier  was  he  215 

With  frankeleyns  over-al  in  his  cuntre, 

And  eek  with  worthi  wommen  of  the  toun : 

For  he  hadde  jDower  of  confessioun, 

As  seyde  himself,  more  than  a  curat, 

For  of  his  ordre  he  was  licentiat.  220 

Ful  sweetely  herde  he  confessioun, 

And  plesaunt  was  his  absolucioun  ; 

He  was  an  esy  man  toj'eve  penance 

Ther  as  he  wiste  han  a  good  pitance ; 

For  unto  a  poure  ordre  for  to  _yive  225 

Is  signe  that  a  man  is  wel  i-schrive. 

For  if  he  j^af,  he  dorste  make  avaunt, 

He  wiste  that  a  man  was  repentaunt. 

For  many  a  man  so  hard  is  of  his  herte. 

He  may  not  wepe  although  him  sore  smerte.  230 

Therfore  in  stede  of  wepyng  and  preyeres, 


8  THE  PROLOGUE. 

Men  mootjKive  silver  to  the  poiire  freres. 

His  typet  was  ay  farsed  ful  of  knyfes  '^ 

And  pynnes,  for  to  jj/ive  faire  wyfes. 

And  certaynli  he  hadde  a  mery  noote  ;  23* 

Wei  couthe  he  synge  and  pleyen  on  a  rote. 

Of  jeddynges  he  bar  utterly  the  prys. 

His  nekke  whit  was  as  the  flour-de-lys. 

Therto  he  strong  was  as  a  champioun. 

He'  knew  the  tavernes  wel  in  every  toun,  240 

And  everych  hosteller  and  tappestere, 

Bet  than  a  lazer,  or  a  beggestere, 

For  unto  such  a  worthi  man  as  he 

Acordede  not,  as  by  his  faculte, 

To  han  with  sike  lazars  aqueyntaunce.  245 

It  is  not  honest,  it  may  not  avaunce, 

For  to  delen  with  no  such  poraille, 

But  al  with  riche  and  sellers  of  vitaille. 

And  overal,  ther  as  profyt  schulde  arise, 

Curteys  he  was,  and  lowely  of  servyse.  250 

Ther  nas  no  man  nowher  so  vertuous. 

He  was  the  beste  beggere  in  his  hous, 

For  though  a  widewe  hadde  noght  00  schoo, 

So  plesaunt  was  his  I?i  frincipio^ 

let  wolde  he  have  a  ferthing  or  he  wente.  255 

His  purchas  was  wel  better  than  his  rente. 

And  rage  he  couthe  and  pleyen  as  a  whelpe, 

In  love-dayes  couthe  he  mochel  helpe. 

For  ther  he  was  not  like  a  cloysterer, 

With  thredbare  cope  as  is  a  poure  scoler,  260 

But  he  was  like  a  maister  or  a  pope. 

Of  double  worstede  was  his  semy-cope, 

That  rounded  as  a  belle  out  of  the  presse. 

Somwhat  he  lipsede,  for  his  wantounesse, 

To  make  his  Englissch  svvete  upon  his  tunge  ;  205 

And  in  his  harpyng,  whan  that  he  hadde  sunge, 


THE  PROLOGUE.  9 

His  eyghen  twynkeld  in  his  heed  aright, 

As  don  the  sterres  in  the  frosty  night. 

This  worth  i  ly  my  tour  was  cleped  Huberd. 

^   A  Marchaunt.  was  ther  with  a  forked  herd,  270 

In  motteleye,  and  high  on  horse  he  sat, 

Uppon  his  heed  a  Fhmndrisch  bever  hat; 

His  botes  elapsed  fiiire  and  fetysly. 

His  resons  he  spak  ful  solempnely, 

Sownynge  alway  thencres  of  his  wynnynge.  275 

He  wolde  the  see  were  kept  for  eny  thinge 

Betwixe  Middelburgh  and  Orewelle. 

Wei  couthe  he  in  eschaunge  scheeldes  selle. 

This  worthi  man  ful  wel  his  wit  bisette  ; 

Ther  wiste  no  man  that  he  was  in  dette,  280 

So  estately  was  he  of  governaunce, 

With  his  bargayns,  and  with  his  chevysaunce. 

For  sothe  he  was  a  worthi  man  withalle. 

But  soth  to  sayn,  I  not  what  men  him  calle. 
)i  -    A  Clerk  ther  was  of  Oxenford  also,  aSs 

That  unto  logik  hadde  longe  i-go. 

As  lene  was  his  hors  as  is  a  rake, 

And  he  was  not  right  fat,  I  undertake  ; 

But  lokede  holwe,  and  therto  soberly. 

Ful  thredbare  was  his  overeste  courtepy,  290 

For  he  hadde  geten  him  yit  no  benefice, 

Ne  was  so  worldly  for  to  have  office. 

For  him  was  lever  have  at  his  beddes  heede 

Twenty  bookes,  clad  in  blak  or  reede, 

Of  Aristotle  and  his  philosophic,  295 

Then  robes  riche,  or  fithel,  or  gay  sawtrie. 

But  al  be  that  he  was  a  philosophre, 
\  Yet  hadde  he  but  litel  gold  in  cofre  ; 

But  al  that  he  mighte  of  his  frendes  hente, 

On  bookes  and  on  lernyng  he  it  spente,  300 

And  busily  gan  for  the  soules  preye 


lO  THE  PROLOGUE. 

Of  hem  thatjKaf  him  wherwith  to  scoleye, 

Of  studie  took  he  most  cure  and  most  heede. 

Not  oo  word  spak  he  more  than  was  neede, 

And  that  was  seid  in  forme  and  reverence  305 

And  schort  and  quyk,  and  ful  of  high  sentence. 

Sownynge  in  moral  vertu  was  his  speche,       >. 

And  gladly  wolde  he  lerne,  and  gladly  teche.  J 

A  Sergeant  of  Lawe,  war  and  wys, 
That  often  hadde  ben  atte  parvys,  .  310 

Ther  was  also  ful  riche  of  excellence. 
Discret  he  was,  and  of  gret  reverence  : 
He  semede  such,  his  wordes  weren  so  wise, 
Justice  he  was  ful  often  in  assise, 

By  patent,  and  by  pleyn  commissioun  ;  315 

For  his  science,  and  for  his  heih  renoun, 
Of  fees  and  robes  hadde  he  many  oon. 
So  gret  a  purchasour  was  nowher  noon. 
Al  was  fee  symple  to  him  in  effecte. 

His  purchasyng  mighte  nought  ben  enfecte.  320 

Nowher  so  besy  a  man  as  he  ther  nas,  '^ 
And  yit  he  seemede  besier  than  he  was. 
In  termes  hadde  he  caas  and  domes  alle, 
That  fro  the  tyme  of  kyng  William  were  falle. 
Therto  he  couthe  endite,  and  make  a  thing,  325 

Ther  couthe  no  wight  pynche  at  his  writyng ; 
And  every  statute  couthe  he  pleyn  by  roote. 
He  rood  but  hoomly  in  a  medle  coote. 
Gird  with  a  seynt  of  silk,  with  barres  smale  ; 
Of  his  array  telle  I  no  lenger  tale.  330 

A  Frankeleyn  was  in  his  companye ; 
Whit  was  his  berde,  as  is  the  dayesye. 
Of  his  complexioun  he  was  sangwyn. 
Wei  lovede  he  in  the  morwe  a  sop  in  wyn. 
To  lyven  in  delite  was  al  his  wone,  335 

For  he  was  Epicurus  owne  sone, 


THE  PROLOGUE.  II 

That  heeld  opynyoun  that  pleyn  delyt 

Was  verraily  felicite  pcrfyt. 

An  houshaldere,  and  that  a  gret,  was  he  ; 

Seynt  JuHan  he  was  in  his  countre.  340 

His  breed,  his  ale,  was  alway  after  oon  ; 

A  bettre  envyned  man  was  nowher  noon. 

Withoute  bake  mete  was  nevere  his  hous, 

Of  fleissch  and  fissch,  and  that  so  plentyvous, 
•'  Hit  snewede  in  his  hous  of  mete  and  drynke.  34s 

'\Oi  alle  deyntees  that  men  cowde  thynke.     •_/ 

After  the  sondry  sesouns  of  the  j^eer. 

So  chaungede  he  his  mete  and  his  soper. 

Ful  many  a  fat  partrich  hadd ;  lie  in  me  we. 

And  many  a  brem  and  many  a  luce  in  stewe.  350 

Woo  was  his  cook,  but-if  his  sauce  were 

Poynaunt  and  scharp,  and  redy  al  his  gere. 

His  table  dormant  in  his  halle  alway 

Stood  redy  covered  al  the  longe  day. 

At  sessiouns  ther  was  he  lord  and  sire.  355 

Ful  ofte  tyme  he  was  knight  of  the  schire. 

An  aulas  and  a  gipser  al  of  silk 

Heng  at  his  gerdel,  whit  as  morne  mylk. 

A  schirreve  hadde  he  ben,  and  a  countour ; 

Was  nowher  such  a  worthi  vavasour.  360 

An  Haberdassher  and  a  Carpenter, 

A  Webbe,  a  Deyere,  and  a  Tapicer, 

Weren  with  us  eek,  clothed  in  00  lyvere, 

Of  a  solempne  and  gret  fraternite. 

Ful  freissh  and  newe  here  gere  aplked  was ;  365 

Here  knyfes  were  i-chaped  nat  with  bras. 

But  al  with  silver  wrought  ful  clene  and  wel, 

Here  gurdles  and  here  pouches  every  del. 

Wel  semede  ech  of  hem  a  fair  burgeys, 

To  sitten  in  aj^eldehalle  on  a  deys.  370 

Ever3'ch  for  the  wisdom  that  he  can, 


12  THE  PROLOGUE. 

Was  schaply  for  to  ben  an  alderman. 

For  catel  hadde  they  inough  and  rente, 

And  eek  here  wyfes  vvolde  it  wel  assente  ; 

And  elles  certeyn  were  thei  to  blame.  37s 

It  is  right  fair  to  ben  yclept  madame^ 

And  for  to  gon  to  vigiles  al  byfore, 

And  han  a  mantel  riallyche  i-bore. 

A  Cook  thei  hailde  with  hem  for  the  nones, 
To  boyle  chyknes  with  the  mary  bones,  38« 

And  poudre-marchaunt  tart,  and  galyngale. 
Wel  cowde  he  knowe  a  drau^/^te  of  Londone  ale. 
He  cowde  roste,  and  sethe,  and  broille,  and  frie, 
Maken  mortreux,  and  wel  bake  a  pye. 
But  gret  harm  was  it,  as  it  thoughte  me,  38s 

That  on  his  schyne  a  mormal  hadde  he. 
For  blankmanger  he  made  with  the  beste. 

A  ScHiPMAN  was  ther,  wonyng  fer  by  weste : 
For  ought  I  woot,  he  was  of  Dertemouthe. 
He  rood  upon  a  rouncy,  as  he  couthe,  390 

In  a  gowne  of  faldyng  to  the  kne. 
A  daggere  hangyng  on  a  laas  hadde  he 
Aboute  his  nekke  under  his  arm  adoun. 
The  hoote  somer  hadde  maad  his  hew  al  broun  ;  j 
And  certeinly  he  was  a  good  felawe.  395 

Ful  many  a  draughte  of  wyn  hadde  he  ydrawe 
From  Burdeux-ward,  whil  that  the  chapman  sleep. 
Of  nyce  conscience  took  he  no  keep. 
If  that  he  faughte,  and  hadde  the  hei^/^er  hand, 
By  water  he  sente  hem  hoom  to  every  land.  400 

But  of  his  craft  to  rekne  wel  his  tydes. 
His  stremes  and  his  daungers  him  bisides. 
His  herbergh  and  his  mone,  his  lodemenage, 
Ther  was  non  such  from  HuUc  to  Cartage. 
Hardy  he  was,  and  wys  to  undertake  ;  405 

With  many  a  tempest  hadde  his  berd  ben  schake.  J 


THE  PliOLOGUE.  13 

He  knew  wel  alle  the  havenes,  as  thei  were, 

From  Gootlond  to  the  cape  of  Fynestere, 

And  every  crykc  in  Bretayne  and  in  Spayne  ; 

His  barge  y-cleped  was  the  Magdelayne.  410 

Ther  was  also  a  Doctqur  of  Phisik, 
In  al  this  world  ne  was  ther  non  him  lyk 
To  speke  of  phisik  and  of  surgerye  ; 
For  he  was  grounded  in  astronomye. 

He  kepte  his  pacient  wonderly  wel  41s 

In  houres  by  his  magik  naturel. 
Wel  cowde  he  fortunen  the  ascendent 
Of  his  ymages  for  his  pacient. 
He  knew  the  cause  of  every  maladye, 
Were  it  of  hoot  or  cold,  or  moyst,  or  drye,  420 

And  where  engendred,  and  of  what  humour ; 
He  was  a  verrey  parfi^/^t  practisour. 
The  cause  i-knowe,  and  of  his  harm  the  roote, 
Anon  hejK^f  the  syke  man  his  boote. 

Ful  redy  hadde  he  his  apotecaries,  425 

To  sende  him  dragges,  and  his  letuaries, 
For  ech  of  hem  made  other  for  to  wynne  ; 
Here  frendschipe  nas  not  newe  to  begynne. 
Wel  knew  he  the  olde  Esculapius, 

And  Deiscorides,  and  eek  Rufus  ;  430 

Old  Ypocras,  Haly,  and  Galien  ; 
Serapyon,  Razis,  and  Avycen  ; 
Averrois,  Damascen,  and  Constantyn  ; 
Bernard,  and  Gatesden,  and  Gilbertyn. 
Of  his  diete  mesurable  was  he,  43s 

For  it  was  of  no  superfluite. 
But  of  gret  norisching  and  digestible. 
t  His  stiidie  was  but  litel  on  the  Bible. 
In  sangwin  and  in  pers  he  clad  was  al, 
Lined  with  taftata  and  with  sendal. 
And_yit  he  was  but  esy  of  dispence ; 


440 


14  THE  PROLOGUE, 

He  kepte  that  he  wan  in  pestilence. 
For  gold  in  phisik  is  a  cordial, 
Therfore  he  lovede  gold  in  special. 

A  Good  WiF  was  ther  of  byside  Bathe,  445 

But  sche  was  somdel  deef,  and  that  was  skathe. 
Of  cloth-makyng  she  hadde  such  an  haunt, 
Sche  passede  hem  of  Ypres  and  of  Gaunt. 
In  al  the  parisshe  wyf  ne  was  ther  noon 
That  to  the  offryng  byforn  hire  schulde  goon,  4so 

And  if  ther  dide  certe3'n  so  wroth  was  sche, 
That  sche  was  out  of  alle  charite. 
Hire  keverchefs  ful  fyne  weren  of  grounde ; 
I  durste  swere  they  wey^/^eden  ten  pounde 
That  on  a  Sonday  were  upon  hire  heed.  ass 

Hire  hosen  weren  of  fyn  Scarlett  reed, 
Ful  streyte  3^-teyd,  and  schoos  ful  moj^ste  and  newe. 
Bold  was  hire  face,  and  fair,  and  reed  of  hewe. 
Sche  was  a  worthy  worn  man  al  hire  lyfe, 
Housbondes  at  chirche  dore  sche  hadde  fyfe,  460 

Withouten  other  companye  in  youthe  ; 
But  therof  needeth  noug-ht  to  speke  as  nouthe. 
And  thries  hadde  sche  ben  at  Jerusalem  ; 
Sche  hadde  j^assed  many  a  straunge  streem ; 
At  Rome  sche  hadde  ben,  and  at  Boloyne,  465 

In  Galice  at  seynt  Jame,  and  at  Coloyne. 
Sche  cowde  moche  of  wandryng  by  the  weye. 
Gattothed  was  sche,  sothly  for  to  seye. 
Uppon  an  amblere  esily  sche  sat, 

Ywympled  wel,  and  on  hire  heed  an  hat  470 

As  brood  as  is  a  bocler  or  a  targe  ; 
A  foot-mantel  aboute  hire  hi  pes  large. 
And  on  hire  feet  a  paire  of  spores  scharpe. 
In  felawschipe  wel  cowde  sche  lawghe  and  carpe. 
Of  remedyes  of  love  sche  knew  parchaunce,  47s 

For  of  that  art  sche  couthe  the  olde  daunce. 


%., 


fH  THE   PROLOGUE.  1$ 

A  good  man  was  thcr  of  religioun, 

And  was  a  poure  Persoun  of  a  toiin  ; 

But  riche  he  was  of  hol}^  thought  and  werk. 

He  was  also  a  lerned  man,  a  clerk  480 

That  Cristes  gospel  trewely  wolde  preche  ; 

His  parischens  devoutly  wolde  he  teche. 
.  Benigne  he  was,  and  wonder  diligent, 

And  in  adversite  ful  pacient ; 

And  such  he  was  i-proved  ofte  sithes.  48s 

Ful  loth  were  him  to  curse  for  his  tythes, 

But  rather  wolde  he  j/even  out  of  dowte, 

Unto  his  poure  parisschens  aboute, 

Of  his  oftrynge,  and  eek  of  his  substaunce. 

He  cowde  in  litel  thing  han  suffisaunce.  490 

Wyd  was  his  parisch,  and  houses  fer  asonder, 

But  he  ne  lafte  not  for  reyne  ne  thonder, 

In  siknesse  nor  in  meschief  to  visite 

The  ferreste  in  his  parissche,  moche  and  lite, 

Uppon  his  feet,  and  in  his  bond  a  staf.  495 

//This  noble  ensample  to  his  scheep  hej^af, 
1  That  first  he  wroughte,  and  after  that  he  taughte," 

Out  of  the  gospel  he  tho  wordes  caughte, 

And  this  figure  he  addede  eek  therto, 

That  if  gold  ruste,  what  schal  yren  doo  ?  500 

For  if  a  prest  be  foul,  on  whom  we  truste. 

No  wonder  is  a  lewed  man  to  ruste  ; 

And  schame  it  is,  if  that  a  prest  take  kepe, 

A  [foul]  schepherde  and  a  clene  schepe  ; 

Wei  oughte  a  prest  ensample  for  to  j/ive,  505 

By  his  clennesse,  how  that  his  scheep  schulde  lyve. 

He  sette  not  his  benefice  to  byre. 

And  leet  his  scheep  encombred  in  the  myre. 

And  ran  to  Londone,  unto  seynte  Foules, 

To  seeken  liim  a  chaunterie  for  soules,  510 

Or  with  a  bretherhede  to  ben  withholde  ; 


lb  THE  PROLOGUE.  r    ^ 


\j 


But  dwelte  at  hoom,  and  kepte  wel  his  folde, 

So  that  the  wolf  ne  made  it  not  myscarye. 

He  was  a  schepherde  and  no  mercenarie  ; 

And  though  he  holy  were,  and  vertuous,  .  515 

He  was  to  sinful  man  nought  dispitous, 

Ne  of  his  speche  daungerous  ne  digne, 

But  in  his  teching  discret  and  benigne. 

To  drawe  folk  to  heven  by  fairnesse, 

By  good  ensample,  was  his  busynesse:.  .^ 520 

But  it  were  eny  persone  obstinat,  ^ 

What  so  he  were,  of  high  or  lowe  estat, 

Him  wolde  he  snybbe  scharply  for  the  nones. 

A  bettre  preest  I  trowe  ther  nowher  non  is. 

He  waytede  after  no  pompe  and  reverence,  525 

Ne  makede  him  a  spiced  conscience,  \ 

But  Cristes  lore,  and  his  apostles  twelve,  j      '' 

He  taughte,  and  first  he  folwede  it  himselve. 

With  him  ther  was  a  Ploughman,  was  his  brother, 
That  hadde  i-lad  of  dong  ful  many  a  fother,  530 

A  trewe  swynkere  and  a  good  was  he, 
Lyvynge  in  pees  and  perfi^/^t  charitee. 
God  lovede  he  best  with  al  his  hoole  herte 
At  alle  tymes,  though  him  gamede  or  smerte, 
And  thanne  his  neighebour  right  as  himselve.  535 

He  wolde  threisshe,  and  therto  dyke  and  delve, 
For  Cristes  sake,  with  every  poure  wight, 
Withouten  hyre,  if  it  laye  in  his  might. 
His  tythes  payede  he  ful  f\iire  and  wel, 
Bothe  of  his  owne  swynk  and  his  catel.  S4o 

In  a  tabard  he  rood  upon  a  mere. 

Ther  was  also  a  Reeve  and  a  Mellere, 
A  Sompnour  and  a  Pardoner  also, 
A  Maunciple,  and  my  self,  ther  were  no  mo. 

The  Mellere  was  a  stout  carl  for  the  nones,  545 

Ful  big  he  was  of  braun,  and  eek  of  boones  ; 


THE  PROLOGUE.  17 

That  prevede  wel,  for  overal  tlicr  he  cam, 
At  wrastlynge  he  wolde  have  alwey  the  ram. 
He  was  schort  schuldred,  brood,  a  thikke  knarre, 
Ther  nas  no  dore  that  he  nolde  heve  of  harre,  sso 

Or  breke  it  at  a  rennyng  with  his  heed. 
His  herd  as  ony  sowe  or  fox  was  reed. 
And  theito  brood,  as  though  it  were  a  spade. 
Upon  the  cop  right  of  his  nose  he  hade 
A  werte,  and  theron  stood  a  tuft  of  heres,  sss 

Reede  as  the  berstles  of  a  sowes  eeres. 
His  nose-thurles  bhike  were  and  wyde. 
A  swerd  and  bocler  baar  he  by  his  side, 
His  mouth  as  wyde  was  as  a  gret  forneys. 
He  was  a  jangler,  and  a  golyardeys,  560 

And  that  was  most  of  synne  and  harlotries. 
Wel  cowde  he  stele  corn,  and  toUen  thries ; 
And  yet  he  hadde  a  thombe  of  gold  parde. 
A  whit  cote  and  a  blewe  hood  werede  he. 
A  baggepipe  cowde  he  bio  we  and  sowne,  56s 

And  therwithal  he  broughte  us  out  of  towne. 
A  gentil  Maunciple  was  ther  of  a  temple, 
Of  wdiich  achatours  mighten  take  exemple 
For  to  be  wys  in  beyying  of  vitaille. 

For  whether  that  he  payde,  or  took  by  taille,  570 

Algate  he  waytede  so  in  his  achate, 
That  he  was  ay  biforn  and  in  good  state. 
Now  is  not  that  of  God  a  ful  fair  grace. 
That  such  a  lewed  mannes  wit  schal  pace 
The  wisdom  of  an  heep  of  lernede  men?  575 

Of  maystres  hadde  he  moo  than  thries  ten, 
That  were  of  lawe  expert  and  curious  ; 
Of  which  ther  were  a  doseyn  in  that  house, 
Worthi  to  ben  stiwardz  of  rente  and  lond 
Of  any  lord  that  is  in  Engelond,  sSo 

To  make  him  lyve  by  his  propre  good, 


20  THE  PROLOGUE. 

And  prively  a  fynch  eek  cowde  he  pulle. 
And  if  he  fond  owher  a  good  felawe, 
He  wolde  techen  him  to  han  non  awe 
In  such  a  caas  of  the  archedeknes  curs,  6ss 

But-if  a  mannes  soule  were  in  his  purs ; 
For  in  his  purs  he  scholde  punyssched  be. 
*  Purs  is  the  erchedeknes  heile,'  quod  he. 
But  wel  I  woot  he  lyede  right  in  dede  ; 
Of  cursyng  oghte  ech  gulty  man  him  drede;  660 

For  curs  wol  slee  right  as  assoillyng  saveth  ; 
And  also  war  of  him  a  signijicavlt. 
In  daunger  hadde  he  at  his  owne  assise 
ThejKonge  gurles  of  the  diocise, 

And  knew  here  counseil,  and  was  al  here  red.  665 

A  garland  hadde  he  set  upon  his  heed, 
As  gret  as  it  were  for  an  ale-stake  ; 
A  bokeler  hadde  he  maad  him  of  a  cake. 
With  him  ther  rood  a  gentil  Pardoner 
Of  Rouncival,  his  frend  and  his  comper,  670 

That  streyt  was  comen  from  the  court  of  Rome. 
Ful  lowde  he  sang,  Com  hider,  love,  to  me. 
This  sompnour  bar  to  him  a  stif  burdoun. 
Was  nevere  trompe  of  half  so  gret  a  soun, 
This  pardoner  hadde  hcer  as  yelwe  as  wex,  67s 

But  smothe  it  heng,  as  doth  a  strike  of  flex ; 
By  unces  hynge  his  lokkes  that  he  hadde, 
And  therwith  he  his  schuldres  overspradde. 
Ful  thinne  it  lay,  by  culpons  on  and  oon, 
But  hood,  for  jolitee,  ne  werede  he  noon,  680 

For  it  was  trussed  up  in  his  walet. 
Him  thoughte  he  rood  al  of  the  newe  get, 
Dischevele,  sauf  his  cappe,  he  rood  al  bare. 
Suche  glaryng  ey^/^en  hadde  he  as  an  hare. 
A  vernicle  hadde  he  sowed  on  his  cappe.  685 

His  walet  lay  byforn  him  in  his  lappe, 


THE  PROLOGUE.  21 

Bret-ful  of  pardoun  come  from  Rome  al  hoot 

A  voys  he  hadde  as  smal  as  eny  goot. 

No  herd  ne  hadde  he,  ne  nevere  scholde  have, 

As  smothe  it  was  as  it  were  kite  i-schave ;  690 

But  of  his  craft,  fro  Berwyk  into  Ware, 

Ne  was  ther  such  another  pardoner. 

For  in  his  male  he  hadde  a  pilwebeer, 

Which  that,  he  seide,  was  oure  lady  veyl :  695 

He  seide,  he  hadde  a,  gobet  of  the  seyl 

That  seynt  Peter  hadde,  whan  that  he  wente 

Uppon  the  see,  til  Jhesu  Crist  him  hente. 

He  hadde  a  cros  of  latoun  ful  of  stones, 

And  in  a  glas  he  hadde  pigges  bones.  700 

But  with  thise  reliques,  whanne  that  he  fond 

A  poure  persoun  dwellyng  uppon  lond, 

Upon  a  day  he  gat  him  more  moneye 

Than  that  the  persoun  gat  in  monthes  tweye. 

And  thus  with  feyned  flaterie  and  japes,  705 

He  made  the  persoun  and  the  people  his  apes. 

But  trewely  to  tellen  atte  laste, 

He  was  in  churche  a  noble  ecclesiaste. 

Wei  cowde  he  rede  a  lessoun  or  a  storye. 

But  altherbest  he  sang  an  offertorie  ;  710 

For  wel  he  wyste,  whan  that  song  was  songe, 

He  moste  preche,  and  wel  affyle  his  tonge. 

To  Wynne  silver,  as  he  right  wel  cowde  ; 

Therefore  he  sang  ful  meriely  and  lowde. 

Now  have  I  toldjvou  schortly  in  a  clause     ^"^^  715 

Thestat,  tharray,  the  nombre,  and  eek  the  cause 
Why  that  assembled  was  this  companye 
In  Southwerk  at  this  gentil  hostelrie. 
That  highte  the  Tabard,  faste  by  the  Belle. 
But  now  is  tyme  to  yow  for  to  telle  720 

How  that  we  bare  us  in  that  ilke  night, 


22  THE  PROLOGUE. 

Whan  we  were  in  that  hosteh-ie  alight ; 

And  after  wol  I  telle  of  oure  viage, 

And  al  the  remenaunt  of  oure  pilgrimage. 

But  first  I  prayj/ou  of  your  curtesie,  725 

That^e  ne  rette  it  nat  my  vileinye, 

Though  that  I  speke  al  pleyn  in  this  matere, 

To  telle  you  here  wordes  and  here  cheere  ; 

Ne  though  I  speke  here  wordes  properly. 

For  this  ye  knowen  also  wel  as  I,  730 

Whoso  schal  telle  a  tale  after  a  man, 

He  moot  reherce,  as  neigh  as  evere  he  can, 

Everych  a  word,  if  it  be  in  his  charge, 

Al  speke  he  nevere  so  rudelyche  and  large  ; 

Or  elles  he  moot  telle  his  tale  untrewe,  73s 

Or  feyne  thing,  or  fynde  wordes  newe. 

He  may  not  spare,  although  he  were  his  brother ; 

He  moot  as  wel  seyn  00  word  as  another. 

Crist  spak  himself  ful  broode  in  holy  writ. 

And  wel  ye  woot  no  vileinye  is  it.  740 

Eek  Plato  seith,  whoso  that  can  him  rede, 

The  wordes  mote  be  cosyn  to  the  dedei 

Also  I  praye  ^ou  to  foi^eve  it  me, 

Al  have  I  nat  set  folk  in  here  degre 

Here  in  this  tale,  as  that  thei  schulde  stonde  ;     ~  74s 

My  witt  is  schort,  jKe  may  wel  understonde. 

Greet  cheere  made  oure  host  us  everichon, 
And  to  the  souper  sette  he  us  anon  ; 
And  servede  us  with  vitaille  atte  beste. 
Strong  was  the  wyn,  and  wel  to  drynke  us  leste.  750 

A  semely  man  oure  boost  he  was  withalle 
For  to  ban  been  a  marschal  in  an  halle  ; 
A  large  man  he  was  with  Qyg-JiQn  stepe, 
A  fiiirere  burgeys  was  ther  noon  in  Chepe  : 
Bold  of  his  speche,  and  wys  and  wel  i-taught,  7ss 

And  of  manhede  him  lakkede  right  naught. 


THE  PROLOGUE,  23 

Eek  therto  he  was  right  a  mery  man, 

And  after  soper  phiyen  he  bygan, 

And  spak  of  myrtlie  amonges  othre  thinges, 

Whan  that  we  hadde  maad  our  rekenynges ;  760 

And  sayde  thus  :   '  Lo,  lordynges,  trewely 

2e  ben  to  me  right  welcome  hertely  : 

P'or  by  my  trouthe,  if  that  I  schal  not  lye, 

I  ne  saugh  thisj^eer  so  mery  a  companye 

At  oones  in  this  herbergh  as  is  now.  76s 

Fayn  wolde  I  don  jkow  mirthe,  wiste  I  how. 

And  of  a  mirthe  I  am  right  now  bytliought, 

To  doonjvou  eese,  and  it  schal  coste  nought. 

2e  goon  to  Caunturbury  ;  God  jkou  speede, 

The  blisful  martir  quyte_you  _youre  meede  !  770 

And  wel  1  woot,  asj^e  gon  by  the  weye, 

2e  schapen  jvow  to  talen  and  to  pleye  ; 

For  trewely  comfort  ne  mirthe  is  noon. 

To  ryde  by  the  weye  domb  as  a  stoon  ; 

And  therfore  wol  1  makenj^ou  disport,  77s 

As  I  seyde  erst,  and  do  j^ou  som  confort. 

And  if  j^ow  liketh  alle  by  oon  assent 

Now  for  to  standen  at  my  juggement ; 

And  for  to  werken  as  I  schal  jkou  seye. 

To  morvve,  whanj^e  riden  by  the  weye,  780 

Now  by  my  fadres  soule  that  is  deed, 

Butjve  be  merye,  smyteth  of  myn  heed. 

Hold  up  j-'oure  bond  withoute  more  speche.' 

Oure  counseil  was  not  longe  for  to  seche  ; 

Us  thoughte  it  nas  nat  worth  to  make  it  wys,  785 

And  grauntede  him  withoute  more  avys, 

And  bad  him  seie  his  verdite,  as  him  leste. 

'  Lordynges,'  quoth  he,  '  now  herkneth  for  the  beste ; 

But  taketh  it  not,  I  prayejvou,  in  disdayn  ; 

This  is  the  poynt,  to  speken  schort  and  playn,  i^ 

That  ech  of  jkow  to  schorte  v/ith  j^oure  weie. 


24  THE  PROLOGUE. 

* 

In  this  viage,  schal  telle  tales  tweye, 

To  Caunturburi-ward,  I  mene  it  so, 

And  horn-ward  he  schal  tellen  other  tuo, 

Of  aventures  that  whilom  han  bifalle.  79s 

And  which  of  j^ovv  that  bereth  him  best  of  alle, 

That  is  to  seyn,  that  telleth  in  this  caas 

Tales  of  best  sentence  and  most  solas, 

Schal  han  a  soper  at  jvoure  alther  cost 

Here  in  this  place  sittynge  by  this  post,  &» 

Whan  that  we  come  ageyn  from  Canturbury 

And  for  to  maken_)/ou  the  more  mery, 

I  wol  myselven  gladly  with  jj/ou  i"y*^^' 

Right  at  myn  owen  cost,  and  be_youre  gyde. 

And  whoso  vvole  my  juggement  withseie  80s 

Schal  paye  al  that  we  spenden  by  the  weye. 

And  if  _ye  vouchesauf  that  it  be  so. 

Telle  me  anoon,  withouten  wordes  moo, 

And  I  wole  erely  schape  me  therfore.' 

This  thing  was  graunted,  and  oure  othes  swore  810 

With  ful  glad  herte,  and  pray  den  him  also 

That  he  wolde  vouchesauf  for  to  doon  so, 

And  that  he  wolde  ben  oure  governour, 

And  of  oure  tales  jugge  and  reportour, 

And  sette  a  souper  at  a  certeyn  prys ;  815 

And  we  wolde  rewled  be  at  his  devys. 

In  heygh  and  lowe  ;  and  thus  by  oon  assent 

We  been  acorded  to  his  juggement. , 

And  therupon  the  wyn  was  fet  anoon  ; 

We  dronken,  and  to  reste  wente  echoon,  820 

Withouten  eny  lengere  taryinge. 

A  morwe  whan  the  day  bigan  to  sprynge. 

Up  roos  oure  host,  and  was  oure  alther  cok, 

And  gadrede  us  togidre  alle  in  a  flok. 

And  forth  we  riden  a  litel  more  than  paas,  825 

Unto  the  waterynge  of  seint  Thomas. 


TEE  PROLOGUE.  25 

And  there  oure  host  bigan  his  hors  areste, 

And  seyde  ;  '  Lordes,  herkeneth  if  yo\\r  leste. 

2e  vvoote  joure  forward,  and  I  it  you.  recorde. 

If  even-song  and  morwe-song  accorde,  830 

Lat  se  now  who  schal  telle  tirst  a  tale. 

As  evere  I  moot  drinke  wyn  or  ale, 

Whoso  be  rebel  to  my  juggement 

Schal  paye  for  al  that  by  the  weye  is  spent. 

Now  draweth  cut,  er  that  we  forther  twynne  ;  83s 

Which  that  hath  the  schorteste  schal  bygynne/ 

*  Sire  knight,'  quoth  he,  '  my  maister  and  my  lord, 

Now  draweth  cut,  for  that  is  myn  acord. 

Cometh  ner,'  quoth  he,  '  my  lady  prioresse  ; 

And  ye.  sir  clerk,  lat  bejoure  schamfastnesse,  840 

Ne  studieth  nat ;  ley  hand  to,  every  man.' 

Anon  to  drawen  every  wight  bigan. 
And  schortly  for  to  tellen  as  it  was, 
Were  it  by  aventure,  or  sort,  or  cas, 

The  soth  is  this,  the  cut  hi  to  the  knight,  84s 

Of  which  ful  blithe  and  glad  w^as  every  wight; 
And  telle  he  moste  his  tale  as  was  resoun. 
By  forward  and  by  composicioun, 
As jKe  han  herd  ;  what  needeth  wordes  moo.? 
And  whan  this  goode  man  seigh  that  it  was  so,  850 

As  he  that  wys  was  and  obedient      • 
To  kepe  his  forward  by  his  fre  assent, 
He  seyde  :   '  Syn  I  schal  bygynne  the  game, 
What,  welcome  be  thou  cut,  a  Goddes  namel 
Now  lat  us  ryde,  and  herkneth  what  I  seye.'  855 

And  with  that  word  we  riden  forth  oure  weye  , 
And  he  bigan  with  right  a  merie  chere 
His  tale  anon,  and  seide  in  this  manere. 


THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 


Whilom,  as  olde  stories  tellen  us, 

Ther  was  a  duk  that  bighte  Theseus ; 

Of  Athenes  he  was  lord  and  governour, 

And  in  his  tyme  swich  a  conquerour, 

That  grettere  was  ther  non  under  the  sonne.  s 

Ful  many  a  riche  contre  hadde  he  wonne  ; 

That  with  his  wisdam  and  his  chivah-ie 

He  conquerede  al  the  regne  of  Femynye, 

That  whilom  was  i-cleped  Cithea  ; 

And  weddede  he  the  queen  Ipolita,  lo 

And  broughte  hire  hoom  with  him  in  his  contre 

With  moche  glorie  and  gret  solempnite, 

And  eek  hire  _yonge  suster  Emelye. 

And  thus  with  victorie  and  with  melodye 

Lete  I  this  noble  duk  to  Athenes  ryde,  15 

And  al  his  host,  in  armes  him  biside. 

And  certes,  if  it  nere  to  longe  to  heere, 

I  wolde  han  told  jj^ow  fully  the  manere, 

How  wonnen  was  the  regne  of  Femenye 

By  Theseus,  and  by  his  chivalrye  ;  z<? 

And  of  the  grete  bataille  for  the  nones 

Bytwixen  Athenes  and  the  Amazones  ; 

And  how  aseged  was  Ypolita, 

The  faire  hardy  quen  of  Cithea ; 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  27 

And  of  the  feste  that  was  at  hire  weddynge.  2s 

And  of  the  tempest  at  hire  hoom  comynge  ; 

But  al  that  thing  I  mot  as  now  forbere. 

I  have,  God  wot,  a  large  feeld  to  ere, 

And  wayke  ben  the  oxen  in  my  plough, 

The  remenaunt  of  the  tale  is  long  inough  ;  30 

I  wol  not  lette  eek  non  of  al  this^owte, 

Lat  every  felawe  telle  his  tale  aboute, 

And  lat  see  now  who  schal  the  soper  wynne, 

And  ther  I  lafte,  I  wol  agayn  begynne. 

This  duk,  of  whom  I  make  mencioun,  35 

Whan  he  was  come  almost  unto  the  toun, 
In  al  his  wele  and  in  his  moste  pryde, 
He  was  war,  as  he  caste  his  eyg'he  aside, 
Wher  that  ther  knelede  in  the  hye  weye 
A  companye  of  ladies,  tweye  and  tweye,  40 

Ech  after  other,  clad  in  clothes  blake  ; 

But  such  a  cry  and  such  a  woo  they  make, 

That  in  this  world  nys  creature  lyvynge, 

That  herde  such  another  weymentynge, 

And  of  this  cry  they  nolde  nevere  stenten,  4S 

Til  they  the  reynes  of  his  bridel  henten. 

'What  folk  benjKe  that  at  myn  hom  comynge 

Pertourben  so  my  feste  with  cryinge?' 

Qiiod  Theseus,  'havej^e  so  gret  envye 

Of  myn  honour,  that  thus  compleyne  and  crie?  50 

Or  who  hath  j'ow  misboden,  or  oflended? 

And  telleth  me  if  it  may  ben  amended  ; 

And  why  that  je  ben  clad  thus  al  in  blak?' 
The  eldeste  lady  of  hem  alle  spak, 

When  sche  hadde  swowned  with  a  dedly  chere,  ss 

That  it  was  rqiithe  for  to  seen  or  heere  ; 

And  seyde  :   '  Lord,  to  whom  Fortune  hath  j^even 

Victorie,  and  as  a  conquerour  to  lyven, 

Nought  greveth  usj'ourc  glorie  and  honour; 


28  THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

But  we  beseken  mercy  and  socour.  60 

Have  mercy  on  oure  woo  and  oure  distresse. 

Som  drope  of  pitee,  thurgh  j/oure  gentilnesse, 

Uppon  us  wrecchede  wommen  lat  thou  falle. 

For  certes,  lord,  ther  nys  noon  of  us  alle, 

That  sche  nath  ben  a  duchesse  or  a  queene  ;  65 

Now  be  we  caytifs,  as  it  is  wel  scene  : 

Thanked  be  Fortune,  and  hire  false  wheel, 

That  noon  estat  assureth  to  ben  week 

And  certes,  lord,  to  abiden  j^oure  presence 

Here  in  the  temple  of  the  goddesse  Clemence  7° 

We  ban  ben  waytynge  al  this  fourtenight ; 

Now  help  us,  lord,  syth  it  is  in  thy  might. 

I  wrecche,  which  that  wepe  and  waylle  thus, 

Was  whilom  wyf  to  kyng  Capaneus, 

That  starf  at  Thebes,  cursed  be  that  day  ;  7S 

And  alle  we  that  ben  in  this  array, 

And  maken  al  this  lamentacioun, 

We  losten  alle  oure  housbondes  at  the  toun, 

Whil  that  the  sege  ther  aboute  lay. 

AndjKet  the  olde  Creon,  welaway  !  80 

That  lord  is  now  of  Thebes  the  citee, 

Fulfild  of  ire  and  of  iniquite. 

He  for  despyt,  and  for  his  tyrannye, 

To  do  the  deede  bodyes  vileinye, 

Of  alle  oure  lordes,  whiche  that  ben  i-slawe,  85 

Hath  alle  the  bodies  on  an  heep  y-drawe, 

And  wol  not  suftren  hem  by  noon  assent 

Nother  to  ben  y-buried  nor  y-brent. 

But  maketh  houndes  ete  hem  in  despite.' 

And  with  that  word,  withoute  more  respite,  90 

They  fillen  gruf,  and  criden  pitously, 

'  Have  on  us  wrecchede  wommen  som  mercy. 

And  lat  oure  sorwe  synken  in  thyn  herte.' 

This  gentil  duk  doun  from  his  courser  sterte 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  29 

With  herte  pitous,  whan  he  herde  hem  speke.  95 

Him  thoughte  that  his  herte  wolde  breke, 

Whan  he  seyh  hem  so  pitous  and  so  maat, 

That  whilom  weren  of  so  gret  estat. 

And  in  his  armes  he  hem  all  up  hente, 

And  hem  conforteth  in  ful  good  entente  ;  xoo 

And  swor  his  oth,  as  he  was  trewe  knight, 

He  wolde  don  so  ferforthly  his  might 

Upon  the  tyraunt  Creon  hem  to  wieke, 

That  al  the  people  of  Grece  scholde  speke 

How  Creon  was  of  Theseus  y-served,  105 

As  he  that  hadde  his  deth  ful  vvel  deserved. 

And  risfht  anoon,  withoute  more  abood 

His  baner  he  desplayeth,  and  forth  rood 

To  Thebes-ward,  and  al  his  boost  bysyde  ; 

No  nerre  Athenes  wolde  he  go  ne  rvde,  no 

Ne  take  his  eese  fully  half  a  day, 

But  onward  on  his  way  that  nyght  he  lay ; 

And  sente  anoon  YjDolita  the  queene. 

And  Emelye  hire  yougQ  suster  schene. 

Unto  the  toun  of  Athenes  to  dwelle  ;  115 

And  forth  he  ryt ;  ther  is  no  more  to  telle. 

The  reede  statue  of  Mars  with  spere  and  targe 
So  schyneth  in  his  white  baner  large, 
That  alle  the  feeldes  gliteren  up  and  doun  ; 
And  by  his  baner  was  born  his  pynoun  120 

Of  gold  ful  riche,  in  which  ther  was  i-bete 
The  Minatour  which  that  he  slouch  in  Crete. 
Thus  ryt  this  duk,  thus  ryt  this  conquerour, 
And  in  his  boost  of  chevalrie  the  Hour, 
Til  that  he  cam  to  Thebes,  and  alighte 
Faire  in  a  feeld  ther  as  he  thousfhte  fighte. 
But  schortly  for  to  speken  of  this  thing, 
With  Creon^  which  that  was  of  Thebes  kyng. 
He  faught,  and  slough  him  manly  as  a  knight 


»5 


so  THE  KNIOHTES   TALE. 

In  pleyn  bataille,  and  putte  the  folk  to  flight ;  uo 

And  by  assaut  he  wan  the  cite  after, 

And  rente  doun  bothe  wal,  and  sparre,  and  rafter ; 

And  to  the  ladies  he  restorede  agayn 

The  bones  of  here  housbondes  that  were  slayn, 

To  don  exequies,  as  was  tho  the  gyse.  135 

But  it  were  al  to  longe  to  devyse 

The  grete  clamour  and  the  waymentynge 

Which  that  the  ladies  made  at  the  brennynge 

Of  the  bodyes,  and  the  grete  honour 

That  Theseus  the  noble  conquerour  140 

Doth  to  the  ladyes,  whan  they  from  him  wente. 

But  schortly  for  to  telle  is  myn  entente. 

Whan  that  this  worthy  duk,  this  Theseus, 

Hath  Creon  slayn,  and  Thebes  wonne  thus, 

Stille  in  the  feelde  he  took  al  night  his  reste,  ms 

And  dide  with  al  the  contre  as  him  leste. 

To  ransake  in  the  tas  of  bodyes  dede 
Hem  for  to  streepe  of  herneys  and  of  wede, 
The  pilours  diden  businesse  and  cure, 
After  the  bataile  and  disconfiture.  150 

And  so  byfil,  that  in  the  tas  thei  founde, 
Thurgh-girt  with  many  a  grevous  blody  wounde, 
Two  j/onge  knightes  liggyng  by  and  by, 
Bothe  in  oon  armes,  wroght  ful  richely ; 
Of  whiche  two,  Arcite  highte  that  oon,  iss 

And  that  other  knight  highte  Palamon. 
Nat  fully  quyke,  ne  fully  deede  they  were, 
But  by  here  coote-armures,  and  by  here  gere, 
The  Heraudes  knewe  hem  best  in  special. 
As  they  that  weren  of  the  blood  real  160 

Of  Thebes,  and  of  sistren  tuo  i-born. 
Out  of  the  taas  the  pilours  han  hem  torn. 
And  han  hem  caried  softe  unto  the  tente 
Of  Theseus,  and  he  ful  sone  hem  sente 


THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  3 1 

Tathenes,  for  to  dwellen  in  prisoim  165 

Perpetuelly,  he  nolde  no  raunceoun. 

And  whan  this  worthy  duk  hath  thus  i-doon, 

He  took  his  host,  and  horn  he  ryt  anoon 

With  laurer  crowned  as  a  conquerour  ; 

And  there  he  lyveth  in  joye  and  in  honour  170 

Terme  of  his  lyf  j  what  nedeth  wordes  moo  ? 

And  in  a  tour,  in  angwische  and  in  woo, 

This  Palamon,  and  his  fchiwe  Arcite, 

For  everemo,  ther  may  no  gold  hem  quyte. 

Thus  passeth  jj/eer  by  _yeer,  and  day  by  day,  17s 

Til  it  fel  oones  in  a  morvve  of  May 
That  Emelie,  that  fairer  was  to  seene 
Than  is  the  lilie  on  hire  stalke  grene, 
And  fresscher  than  the  May  with  floures  newe  — 
For  with  the  rose  colour  strof  hire  he  we,  180 

I  not  which  was  the  fayrere  of  hem  two  — 
Er  it  were  day,  as  was  hire  wone  to  do, 
Sche  was  arisen,  and  al  redy  dight ; 
For  May  wole  han  no  sloggardye  anight. 
The  sesoun  priketh  every  gentil  herte,  18s 

And  maketh  him  out  of  his  sleepe  sterte. 
And  seith,  '  Ar^^s,  and  do  thin  observance.' 
This  makede  Emelye  han  remembrance 
To  don  honour  to  May,  and  for  to  ryse. 
I-clothed  was  sche  fresshe,  for  to  devyse  ;  190 

HirejKelwe  heer  was  browded  in  a  tresse, 
Byhynde  hire  bak,  a  jj/erde  long  I  gesse. 
iAnd  in  the  gardyn  at  the  sonne  upriste 
(Sche  walketh  up  and  doun,  and  as  hire  liste 

(Sche  gadereth  floures,  party  whyte  and  reede,  195 

To  make  a  sotil  gerland  for  hire  heede, 
.And  as  an  aungel  hevenly  sche  song. 
The  grete  tour,  that  was  so  thikke  and  strong, 
Which  of  the  castel  was  the  cheef  dongeoun. 


32  THE  KNIOHTES   TALE. 

(Ther  as  the  knightes  weren  in  prisoun,  200 

Of  which  I  tolde  jKOW,  and  telle  schal) 
Was  evene  joynyng  to  the  gardeyn  wal, 
Ther  as  this  Emcly  hadde  hire  pleyynge. 
Bright  was  the  sonne,  and  cleer  that  morwenynge, 
And  Palamon,  this  woful  prisoner,  20s 

As  was  his  wone,  by  leve  of  his  gayler 
Was  risen,  and  romede  in  a  chambre  on  heigh, 
In  which  he  al  the  noble  cite  seigh. 
And  eek  the  gardeyn,  ful  of  braunches  grene, 
Ther  as  the  fresshe  Emely  the  scheene  210 

Was  in  hire  walk,  and  romede  up  and  doun. 
This  sorweful  prisoner,  this  Palamon, 
Gooth  in  the  chambre,  rom^-ng  to  and  fro, 
And  to  himself  compleynyng  of  his  woo ; 
That  he  was  born,  ful  ofte  he  seyde,  alas !  215 

And  so  byfel,  by  aventure  or  cas. 
That  thurgh  a  wyndow,  thikke  of  many  a  barre 
Of  iren  greet,  and  squar  as  eny  sparre, 
He  caste  his  eyen  upon  Emelya, 

And  therwithal  he  bleynte  and  cryede,  a !  220 

As  though  he  stongen  were  unto  the  herte. 
And  with  that  crye  Arcite  anon  up  sterte, 
And  seyde,  '  Cosyn  myn,  what  eyleth  the, 
That  art  so  pale  and  deedly  on  to  see  ? 
Why  crydestow?  who  hath  the  doon  offence?  22s 

For  Goddes  love,  tak  al  in  pacience 
Oure  prisoun,  for  it  may  non  other  be ; 
Fortune  hathj^even  us  this  adversite. 
Som  wikke  aspect  or  disposicioun 

Of  Saturne,  by  sum  constellacioun,  230 

Hath  jj/even  us  this  ;  although  we  hadde  it  sworn  — 
So  stood  the  heven  whan  that  we  were  born  — 
We  moste  endure  it :  this  is  the  schort  and  pleyn/ 
This  Palamon  answerde,  and  seyde  ageyn, 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  33 

'  Cosyn,  for  sothe  of  this  opynyoun  235 

Thou  hast  a  veyii  ymaginacioun. 

This  prisoun  causede  me  not  for  to  crye. 

But  I  was  hurt  right  now  thurghout  myn  eyhc 

Into  myn  herte,  that  vvol  my  bane  be. 
/  The  fairnesse  of  that  hidy  that  I  see  340 

/  2bnd  in  the  gardyn  rome  to  and  fro, 
Lis  cause  of  al  my  cryying  and  my  wo. 

I  not  whether  sche  be  womman  or  goddesse ; 

But  Venus  is  it,  sothly  as  I  gesse.' 

And  therwithal  on  knees  adoun  he  fil,  245 

And  seyde  :  '  Venus,  if  it  be  j/oure  wil 

low  in  this  gardyn  thus  to  transfigure, 

Biforn  me  sorweful  wrecche  creature, 

Out  of  this  prisoun  help  that  we  may  scape. 

And  if  so  be  my  destine  be  schape  250 

By  eterne  word  to  deyen  in  prisoun, 

Of  oure  lynage  have  sum  compassioun, 

That  is  so  lowe  y-brought  by  tyrannye.* 

And  with  that  word  Arcite  gan  espye 

Wher  as  this  lady  romcde  to  and  fro.  255 

And  vvith  that  sighte  hire  beaute  hurte  him  so, 

That  if  that  Palamon  was  wounded  sore, 

Arcite  is  hurt  as  moche  as  he,  or  more. 

And  with  a  sigh  he  seyde  pitously  : 

'  The  freissche  beaute  sleeth  me  sodeynly  260 

Of  hire  that  rometh  yonder  in  the  place ; 

And  but  I  have  hire  mercy  and  hire  grace, 

That  I  may  see  hire  atte  leste  weye, 

I  nam  but  deed  ;  ther  nys  no  more  to  seye. 

This  Palamon,  whan  he  tho  wordes  herde,  265 

Dispitously  he  lokede,  and  answerde  : 

'  Whether  seistow  this  in  ernest  or  in  pley  ?* 

'  Nay,'  quoth  Arcite,  '  in  ernest  by  my  fey. 

God  helpe  me  so,  me  lust  ful  evele  pleyc.* 

3 


34  TEE  KXIGETES    TALE. 


370 


This  Palamon  gan  knytte  his  browes  tweye  : 

'  It  nere,'  quod  he,  '  to  the  no  gret  honour, 

For  to  be  fals,  ne  for  to  be  tray  tour 

To  me,  that  am  thy  cosyn  and  thy  brother 

I-swore  ful  deepe,  and  ech  of  us  to  other, 

That  nevere  for  to  deyen  in  the  payne,  275 

Til  that  the  deeth  departe  schal  us  twayne, 

Neyther  of  us  in  love  to  hyndren  other, 

Ne  in  non  other  cas,  my  leeve  brother  ; 

But  that  thou  schuldest  trevvely  forthren  me 

In  every  caas,  and  I  schal  forthren  the.  280 

This  was  thyn  oth,  and  myn  also  certayn  ; 

I  wot  right  wel,  thou  darst  it  nat  withsayn. 

Thus  art  thou  of  my  counseil  out  of  doute. 

And  now  thou  woldest  falsly  ben  aboute 

To  love  my  lady,  whom  I  love  and  serve,  285 

And  evere  schal,  unto  myn  herte  sterve. 

Now  certes,  false  Arcite,  thou  schalt  not  so. 

I  lovede  hire  first,  and  tolde  the  my  woo 

As  to  my  counseil,  and  my  brother  sworn 

To  forthre  me,  as  I  have  told  biforn. 

For  which  thou  art  i-bounden  as  a  knisrht 

To  helpe  me,  if  it  lay  in  thi  might, 

Or  elles  art  thou  fals,  I  dar  w^el  savn.' 

This  Arcite  ful  proudly  spak  agayn. 

'  Thou  schalt,'  quoth  he,  '  be  rather  fals  than  I. 

But  thou  art  fals,  I  telle  the  utterly. 

For  par  amour  I  lovede  hire  first  er  thow. 

What  wolt  thou  sayn?  thou  wistest  not  j'it  now 

Whether  sche  be  a  womman  or  goddesse. 

Thyn  is  affeccioun  of  holynesse, 

And  myn  is  love,  as  to  a  creature  ; 

For  which  I  tolde  the  myn  aventure 

As  to  my  cosyn,  and  my  brother  sworn. 

I  pose,  that  thou  lovedest  hire  biforn  ; 


290 


^95 


VM> 


77//;    KMdllTF.S    TALE.  35 

W'ost  thou  nat  wcl  the  olde  clcrkes  sawe,  30$ 

That  who  schal^cvc  a  lover  eny  lawe? 
Love  is  a  grettere  lawe,  by  my  pan, 
'J'hen  may  be^cve  to  eny  erthly  man. 
Tlierfore  posityf  lawe,  and  such  decre, 
Is  broke  alday  for  love  in  ech  degree.  3«o 

A  man  moot  nucdcii  love  maugre  his  heed. 
He  may  nought  flcn  it,  though  he  schulde  be  deed, 
Al  be  sche  mayde,  or  widewe,  or  elles  wyf. 
And  eek  it  is  nat  likly  al  thy  lyf 

To  stonden  in  hire  grace,  no  more  schal  I ;  31s 

For  wel  thou  wost  thyselven  vcrraily, 
That  thou  and  I  been  dampned  to  prisoun 
Perpetuelly,  us  gayneth  no  raunsoun. 
We  stryve,  as  dide  the  houndes  for  the  boon, 
They  foughte  al  day,  anrl^it  here  part  was  noon  ;  3*0 

Ther  com  a  kyte,  whil  that  they  were  so  wrothe, 
And  bar  awey  the  boon  bitwixe  hem  bothe. 
And  therfore  at  the  kynges  court,  my  brother, 
^Ech  man  for  himself,  ther  is  non  other. 

Love  if  the  list ;  for  I  love  and  ay  schal ;  325 

And  sothly,  leeve  brother,  this  is  al. 
Here  in  this  prisoun  moote  we  endure. 
And  everych  of  us  take  his  aVenture.* 

Gret  was  the  stryf  anrl  long  bytwixe  hem  tweye. 
If  that  I  hadde  leyser  for  to  seye  ;  130 

}5ut  to  theffect.  —  Tt  happede  on  a  day, 
(To  telle  it^ow  as  schortly  as  I  may) 
A  worthy  duk  that  highte  Perotheus, 
That  fclawe  was  unto  duk  Theseus 

Syn  thilke  day  that  they  were  chihlren  lyte,  335 

Was  come  to  Athenes,  his  felawe  to  visite, 
And  for  to  pleye,  as  he  was  wont  to  do, 
For  in  this  world  he  lovede  noman  so: 
And  he  lovede  him  as  tenderly  agayn. 


36  THE  KNIGHTES^ALE. 

So  wel  they  lovede,  as  olde  bookes  sayn,  340. 

That  whan  that  oon  was  deed,  sothly  to  telle, 

His  felawe  wente  and  soughte  him  doun  in  helle  ; 

But  of  that  story  lyst  me  nought  to  write. 

Duk  Perotheus  lovede  wel  Arcite, 

And  hadde  him  knowe  at  Thebes  jKeer  by  _yeer  ;  34s 

And  fynally  at  requeste  and  prayer 

Of  Perotheus,  withouten  any  raunsoun 

Duk  Theseus  him  leet  out  of  prisoun, 

Frely  to  gon,  wher  that  him  luste  overal,    . 

In  such  a  gyse,  as  1  you  telle  schal.  350 

This  was  the  forward,  playnly  for  tendite, 

Bitwixe  Theseus  and  him  Arcite : 

That  if  so  were,  that  Arcite  were  yfounde 

Evere  in  his  lyf,  by  daye  or  night,  o  stound 

In  eny  contr^  of  this  Theseus,  3ss 

And  he  were  caught,  it  was  acorded  thus, 

That  with  a  swerd  he  scholde  lese  his  heed  ; 

Ther  nas  noon  other  remedy  ne  reed, 

But  took  his  leeve,  and  homward  he  him  spedde ; 

Let  him  be  war,  his  nekke  lith  to  wedde.  360 

How  gret  a  sorwe  suffreth  now  Arcite  ! 

The  deth  he  feleth  thurgh  his  herte  smyte ; 

He  weepeth,  weyleth,  cryeth  pitously  ; 

To  slen  himself  he  wayteth  pryvyly. 

He  seyde,  '  Alias  the  day  that  I  was  born !  36s 

Now  is  my  prisoun  werse  than  biforn  ; 

Now  is  me  schape  eternally  to  dwelle 

Nought  in  purgatorie,  but  in  helle. 

Alias  !  that  evere  knew  I  Perotheus  ! 

For  elles  hadde  I  dweld  with  Theseus  370 

I-fetered  in  his  prisoun  evere  moo. 

Than  hadde  I  ben  in  blisse,  and  nat  in  woo. 

Oonly  the  sighte  of  hire,  whom  that  I  serve. 

Though  that  I  nevere  hire  grace  may  deserve, 


THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  ^         37 

Wolde  han  sufficed  right  ynough  for  me}>  37s 

O  dere  cosyn  Palamon,'  quod  he, 

'  Thyn  is  the  victoire  of  this  aventure, 

Ful  bhsfully  in  prisoun  maistow  dure  ; 

In  prisoun?  certes  nay,  but  in  paradys  ! 

Wei  hath  fortune  y-torned  the  the  dys,  380 

That  hast  the  sighte  of  hire,  and  I  thabsence. 

For  possible  is,  syn  thou  hast  hire  presence, 

And  art  a  knight,  a  worthi  and  an  able, 

That  by  soni  cas,  syn  fortune  is  chaungable, 

Thou  maist  to  thy  desir  somtyme  atteyne.  38s 

But  I  that  am  exiled,  and  bareyne 

Of  alle  grace,  and  in  so  gret  despeir. 

That  ther  nys  erthe,  water,  fyr,  ne  eyr, 

Ne  creature,  that  of  hem  maked  is, 

That  may  me  helpe  or  doon  confort  in  this.  390 

Wei  oughte  I  sterve  in  wanhope/  and  distresse  ; 

Farwel  my  lyf,  my  lust,  and  my  gladnesse. 

Alias,  why  playnen  folk  so  in  comune 

Of  purveance  of  God,  or  of  fortune. 

That  jKeveth  hem  ful  ofte  in  many  a  gyse  39s 

Wei  better  than  thei  can  hemself  devyse? 

Som  man  desireth  for  to  han  richesse. 

That  cause  is  of  his  morthre  or  gret  seeknesse. 

And  som  man  wolde  out  of  his  prisoun  fayn, 

That  in  his  hous  is  of  his  mayne  slayn.  400 

Infinite  harmes  ben  in  this  mateere  ; 

We  witen  nat  what  thing  we  prayen  heere. 

We  faren  as  he  that  dronke  is  as  a  mows. 

A  dronke  man  wot  wel  he  hath  an  hous. 

But  he  not  which  the  righte  wey  is  thider,  40s 

And  to  a  dronke  man  the  wey  is  slider. 

And  certes  in  this  world  so  faren  we  ; 

We  seeken  faste  after  felicite. 

But  we  gon  wrong  ful  ofte  trewely. 


38  THE  KNIOETES   TALE. 

Thus  may  we  seyen  alle,  and  namelyche  I,  410 

That  wende  and  hadde  a  gret  opinloun, 

ThatjKif  I  mighte  skape  fro  prisoun, 

Than  hadde  I  ben  in  joye  and  perfyt  hele, 

Ther  now  I  am  exiled  fro  mj^  wele. 

Syn  that  I  may  not  sen_yow,  Emel3'e,  415 

I  nam  but  deed  ;  ther  nys  no  remedj^e.' 
Uppon  that  other  syde  Pahimon, 

Whan  that  he  wiste  Arcite  was  agoon, 

Such  sorwe  he  maketh,  that  the  grete  tour 

Resowneth  of  his  j^ollyng  and  clamour.  420 

The  pure  fettres  on  his  schynes  grete 

Weren  of  his  bittre  salte  teres  wete. 
■  '  Alias  ! '  quod  he,  '  Arcita,  cosyn  myn, 

Of  al  oure  strif,  God  woot,  the  fruyt  is  thin. 

Thow  walkest  now  in  Thebes  at  thi  large,  425 

And  of  my  woo  thouj/evest  litel  charge. 

Thou  maist,  syn  thou  hast  wysdom  and  manhede, 

Assemblen  al  the  follv  of  oure  kynrede, 

And  make  a  werre  so  scharpe  on  this  cite, 

That  by  som  aventure,  or  som  trete,  430 

Thou  mayst  have  hire  to  lady  and  to  wyf, 
j  For  whom  that  I  mot  needes  leese  my  l^'f. 

For  as  by  wey  of  possibilite, 

Syth  thou  art  at  thi  large  of  prisoun  free, 

And  art  a  lord,  gret  is  thin  avantage,  43s 

More  than  is  myn,  that  sterve  here  in  a  kage. 

For  I  moot  weepe  and  weyle,  whil  I  lyve. 

With  al  the  woo  that  prisoun  may  mejvyve, 

And  eek  with  peyne  that  love  me  _yeveth  also, 

That  doubleth  al  my  torment  and  my  wo.'  440 

Therwith  the  fyr  of  jelousye  upsterte 

Withinne  his  breste,  and  hente  him  by  the  herte 

So  wgdly,  that  he  lik  was  to  byholde 

The  box-tree,  or  the  asschen  deede  and  colde. 


THE  KNIOHTES    TALE.  39 

Tho  seyde  he  :   '  O  cruel  goddes,  that  governe  445 

This  world  with  byndyng  of  jKOure  word  eterne, 

And  writen  in  the  table  of  athamaunte 

2bure  parlement,  and  jKOure  eterne  graimte  ! 

What  is  mankynde  more  unto  j^ow  holde 

Than  is  the  scheep,  that  rouketh  in  the  folde?  450 

For  slayn  is  man  right  as  another  beest, 

And  dwelleth  eek  in  prisoun  and  arreest, 

And  hath  seknesse,  and  greet  adversite, 

And  ofte  tymes  gilteles,  parde. 

What  governaunce  is  in  this  prescience,  455 

That  gilteles  tormenteth  innocence  ? 

And  j)/et  encreceth  this  al  my  penaunce, 

That  man  is  bounden  to  his  observaunce 

For  Goddes  sake  to  letten  of  his  wille, 

Ther  as  a  beest  may  al  his  lust  fulfiUe.  460 

/  And  whan  a  beest  is  deed,  he  hath  no  peyne ; 
.  But  man  after  his  deth  moot  wepe  and  pleyne, 

Though  in  this  w^orld  he  have  care  and  woo : 

Withouten  doute  it  may  stonde  so. 

The  answere  of  this  I  lete  to  divinis,  46s 

But  wel  I  woot,  that  in  this  world  gret  pyne  is. 

Alias  !  I  se  a  serpent  or  a  theef, 

That  many  a  trewe  man  hath  doon  mescheef, 

Gon  at  his  large,  and  wher  him  lust  may  turne. 

But  I  moot  ben  in  prisoun  thurgh  Saturne,  470 

And  eek  thurgh  Juno,  jalous  and  eek  wood, 

That  hath  destruved  wel  neyh  al  the  blood 

Of  Thebes,  with  his  waste  walles  wyde. 

And  Venus  sleeth  me  on  that  other  syde 

For  jelousye,  and  fere  of  him  Arcyte.'  X^\j"^^^  47s 

Now  wol  I  stynte  of  Palamon  a  lite, 

And  lete  him  in  his  prisoun  stille  dwelle, 

And  of  Arcita  forth  I  wol  you  telle. 

The  somer  passeth,  and  the  nightes  longe 


\ 


40  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

Encrescen  double  wise  the  peynes  stronge  480 

Bothe  of  the  lover  and  the  prisoner. 

I  noot  which  hath  the  wofuUere  nij^ster. 

For  schortly  for  to  seyn,  this  Palamon 

Perpetuelly  is  dampned  to  prisoun, 

In  cheynes  and  in  fettres  to  be  deed  ;  4Ss 

And  Arcite  is  exiled  upon  his  heed 

For  evere  mo  as  out  of  that  contre, 

Ne  nevere  mo  he  schal  his  lady  see. 

2ow  loveres  axe  I  now  this  question, 

Who  hath  the  worse,  Arcite  or  Palamon.'^  490 

That  on  may  se  his  lady  day  by  day, 

But  in  prisoun  he  moste  clwelle  alway. 

That  other  wher  him  lust  may  ryde  or  go, 

But  seen  his  lady  schal  he  nevere  mo. 

Now  (ieemeth  asj^ou  luste,  j/e  that  can,  495 

For  I  wol  telle  forth  as  I  bigan. 

Whan  that  Arcite  to  Thebes  comen  was, 
Ful  ofte  a  day  he  swelte  and  seyde  alas, 
For  seen  his  lady  schal  he  nevere  mo. 
And  schortly  to  concluden  al  his  wo,  500 

So  moche  sorwe  hadde  nevere  creature, 
That  is  or  schal  whil  that  the  world  may  dure. 
His  sleep,  his  mete,  his  drynk  is  him  by  raft, 
That  lene  he  wex,  and  drye  as  is  a  schaft. 
His  eyen  holwe,  and  grisly  to  biholde ;  505 

His  hew^e  falwe„,  and  pale  as  asschen  colde. 
And  solitary  he  was,  and  evere  alone. 
And  waill3^ng  al  the  night,  making  his  moone. 
And  if  he  herde  song  or  instrument, 

Then  wolde  he  wepe,  he  mighte  nought  be  stent;  510 

So  feble  eek  were  his  spirites,  and  so  lovve. 
And  chaunged  so,  that  no  man  couthe  knowe 
His  speche  nother  his  vois,  though  men  it  herde. 
And  in  his  geere,  for  al  the  world  he  ferde 


THE  KXIGIITES    TALE.  4I 

Nought  oonly  lyke  the  lovers  maladye  515 

Of  Hereos,  but  rather  Hk  manye 

Engendred  of  humour  melancolyk, 

Byforen  in  his  sella  fantastyk. 

And  schortly  turned  was  al  up-so-doun 

Bothe  habyt  and  eek  disposicioun  52° 

Of  him,  this  woful  lovere  daun  Arcite. 

What  schulde  I  alday  of  his  wo  endite? 

Whan  he  endured  hadde  a  _yeer  or  tuoo 

This  cruel  torment,  and  this  peyne  and  woo, 

At  Thebes,  in  his  contre,  as  I  seyde,  525 

Upon  a  night  in  sleep  as  he  him  leyde, 

Him  thoughte  how  that  the  wenged  god  Mercuric 

Byforn  him  stood,  and  bad  him  to  be  murye. 

His  slepy  jerde  in  bond  he  bar  uprighte  ; 

An  hat  he  werede  upon  his  heres  brighte.  530 

Arrayed  was  this  god  (as  he  took  keepe) 

As  he  was  whan  that  Argons  took  his  sleepe  ; 

And  seyde  him  thus  :  '  To  Athenes  schalt  thou  wende  ; 

Ther  is  the  schapen  of  thy  wo  an  ende.' 

And  with  that  word  Arcite  wook  and  sterte.  535 

'  Now  trewely  how  sore  that  me  smerte.' 

Qiiod  he,  '  to  Athenes  ri^7^t  now  wol  I  fare  ; 

Ne  for  the  drede  of  deth  schal  I  not  spare 

To  see  my  lady,  that  I  love  and  serve  ; 

In  hire  presence  I  recche  nat  to  sterve.'  S4o 

And  with  that  word  he  caughte  a  gret  myrour, 

And  saugh  that  chaunged  was  al  his  colour. 

And  sauofh  his  visas^e  al  in  another  kvnde. 

And  right  anoon  it  ran  him  into  mynde, 

That  sith  his  face  was  so  disfigured  545 

Of  maladie  the  which  he  hadde  endured. 

He  miofhte  wel,  if  that  he  bar  him  lovve, 

Lyve  in  Athenes  evere  more  unknowe. 

And  seen  his  lady  wel  neih  day  by  day. 


42  THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

And  right  anon  he  chaungede  his  aray,  sso 

And  cladde  him  as  a  poure  laborer. 

And  al  alone,  save  oonly  a  squyer, 

That  knew  his  pryvyte  and  al  his  cas, 

Which  was  disgysed  povrely  as  he  was, 

To  Athenes  is  he  gon  the  nexte  way.  sss 

And  to  the  court  he  wente  upon  a  day, 

And  at  the  jK^te  he  profrede  his  servyse, 

To  drugge  and  drawe,  what  so  men  wol  devyse. 

And  schortly  of  this  matier  for  to  seyn, 

He  fel  in  office  with  a  chamberleyn,  560 

The  which  that  dwellyng  was  with  Emelye  ; 

For  he  was  wys,  and  couthe  sone  aspye 

Of  every  servaunt,  which  that  servede  here. 

Wei  couthe  he  hewe  woode,  and  water  bere, 

For  he  was_yong  and  mighty  for  the  nones,  55 

And  therto  he  was  strong  and  bygge  of  bones 

To  doon  that  eny  wight  can  him  devyse. 

Aj/eer  or  two  he  was  in  this  servise, 

Page  of  the  chambre  of  Emelye  the  brighte ; 

And  Philostrate  he  seide  that  he  highte.  570 

But  half  so  wel  byloved  a  man  as  he 

Ne  was  ther  nevere  in  court  of  his  degree. 

He  was  so  gentil  of  condicioun, 

That  thurghout  al  the  court  was  his  renoun. 

They  seyde  that  it  were  a  charite  57s 

That  Theseus  wolde  enhaunse  his  desrree, 

And  putten  him  in  worschipful  servyse, 

Ther  as  he  mighte  his  vertu  exercise. 

And  thus  v^ithinne  a  while  his  name  is  spronge 

Bothe  of  his  dedes,  and  his  goode  tonge,  580 

That  Theseus  hath  taken  him  so  neer. 

That  of  his  chambre  he  made  him  a  squyer, 

And  _yaf  him  gold  to  mayntene  his  degree ; 

And  eek  men  broughte  him  out  of  his  country 


THE  KXIGIITES    TALE.  43 

Fro  yeer  to  j/eer  fiil  pryvyly  his  rente  ;  58s 

But  honestly  and  sleighly  he  it  spente, 

That  no  man  wondrede  how  that  he  it  hadde. 

And  thre_yeer  in  this  wise  his  lyf  he  Ladde, 

And  bar  him  so  in  pees  and  eek  in  werre, 

Thcr  nas  no  man  that  Theseus  hath  derre.  590 

And  in  this  bhsse  lete  I  now  Arcite, 

And  speke  I  wole  of  Pahimon  a  lyte. 

In  derknesse  and  iiorrible  and  strong  prisoun 
This  seven  _yeer  hath  seten  Pahimoun, 
Forpyned,  what  for  woo  and  for  distresse.  595 

Who  feleth  double  sorwe  and  hevynesse 
But  Pahimon?  that  love  destreyneth  so, 
That  wood  out  of  his  wit  he  goth  for  wo ; 
And  eek  therto  he  is  a  prisoner 

Perpetuelly,  nat  oonly  for  a  _yeer.  600 

Who  couthe  ryme  in  Englissch  proprely 
His  martirdam  ?  for  sothe  it  am  nat  I ; 
Therfore  I  passe  as  lightly  as  I  may. 
Hit  fel  that  in  the  seventhe  j'eer  in  ]May 
The  thridde  night,  (as  olde  bookes  seyn,  605 

That  al  this  storie  tellen  more  pleyn) 
Were  it  by  aventure  or  destine, 
(As,  whan  a  thing  is  schapen,  it  schal  be,) 
That  sqone  after  the  mydnvght,  Palamoun 
By  helpyng  of  a  freend  brak  his  prisoun,  610 

And  fleeth  the  cite  faste  as  he  may  goo. 
For  he  hadde  j^ive  his  gayler  drinke  soo 
Of  a  clarre,  maad  of  a  certeyn  wyn, 
With  nercotyks  and  opye  of  Thebes  fyn, 
That  al  that  night  though  that  men  wolde  him  schake,    615 
The  gayler  sleep,  he  mighte  nou^//t  awake. 
And  thus  he  fleeth  as  faste  as  evere  he  may. 
The  night  was  schort,  and  faste  by  the  day, 
That  needes-cost  he  moste  himselven  hyde, 


44  'J^IiE  KNIQHTES    TALE. 

And  til  a  grove  faste  ther  besyde  620 

With  dredful  foot  than  stalketh  Palamoun. 

For  schortl}''  this  was  his  opynyoun, 

That  in  that  grove  he  w^olde  him  hyde  al  day, 

And  in  the  night  then  wolde  he  take  his  way 

To  Thebes-ward,  his  frendes  for  to  preye  625 

On  Theseus  to  helpe  him  to  werreye  ; 

And  schortehche,  or  he  wolde  lese  his  lyf, 

Or  wynnen  Emelye  unto  his  wyf. 

This  is  theffect  and  his  entente  playn. 

Now  wol  I  torne  unto  Arcite  agayn,  630 

That  litel  wiste  how  nyh  that  was  his  care, 

Til  that  fortune  hadde  brought  him  in  the  snare. 

The  busy  larke,  messager  of  daye, 
Salueth  in  hire  song  the  morwe  graye  ; 
And  fyry  Phebus  ryseth  up  so  brighte,  635 

That  al  the  orient  laugheth  of  the  lighte, 
And  with  his  stremes  drveth  in  the  greve^ 
The  silver  dropes,  hongyng  on  the  leeves. 
And  Arcite,  that  is  in  the  court  ryal 

With  Theseus,  his  squyer  principal,  640 

Is  risen,  and  loketh  on  the  merye  day. 
And  for  to  doon  his  observance  to  May, 
Remembryng  on  the  poynt  of  his  desir, 
He  on  his  courser,  stertyng  as  the  fir. 
Is  riden  into  the  feeldes  him  to  pleye,  645 

Out  of  the  court,  were  it  a  myle  or  tweye. 
And  to  the  grove,  of  which  that  I  yo\N  tolde, 
By  aventure  his  wey  he  gan  to  holde. 
To  maken  him  a  garland  of  the  greves. 
Were  it  of  woodebynde  or  hawthorn  leves,  650 

And  lowde  he  song  aj^ens  the  sonne  scheene ; 
^May,  with  alle  thy  floures  and  thy  greene, 
Welcome  be  thou,  wel  faire  freissche  Ma}^, 
I  hope  that  I  som  ^rene  gete  may,' 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  45 

And  fro  his  courser,  with  a  lusty  herte,  655 

Into  the  grove  ful  hastily  he  sterte, 

And  in  a  path  he  rometh  up  and  doun, 

Ther  as  by  aventure  this  Palamoun 

Was  in  a  busche,  that  no  man  mighte  him  see, 

For  sore  afered  of  his  deth  was  he.  660 

Nothinof  ne  knew  he  that  it  was  Arcite  : 

God  wot  he  wolde  han  trowed  it  ful  lite. 

But  soth  is  seyd,  goon  sithen  manyj/eres, 

That  fold  hath  eyen,  and  the  woode  hath  eeres. 

It  is  ful  fair  a  man  to  here  him  evene,  665 

For  al  day  meteth  men  at  unset  stevene. 

Ful  litel  woot  Arcite  of  his  felawe, 

That  was  so  neih  to  herken  al  his  sawe, 

For  in  the  busche  he  sytteth  now  ful  stille. 

Whan  that  Arcite  hadde  romed  al  his  fille,  670 

And  songen  al  the  roundel  lustily, 

Into  a  studie  he  fel  al  sodeynly. 

As  don  thes  lovers  in  here  queynfe  geeres, 

Now  in  the  croppe,  now  doun  in  the  breres, 

Now  up,  now  doun,  as  boket  in  a  vvelle.  67s 

Right  as  the  Friday,  sothly  for  to  telle. 

Now  it  schyneth,  now  it  reyneth  faste, 

Right  so  can  gery  Venus  overcaste 

The  hertes  of  hire  folk,  right  as  hire  day 

Is  gerful,  right  so  chaungeth  sche  aray.  680 

Selde  is  the  Fryday  al  the  wyke  i-like. 

Whan  that  Arcite  hadde  songe,  he  gan  to  jjke, 

And  sette  him  doun  withouten  eny  more  : 

'  Alas  ! '  quod  he,  '  that  day  that  I  was  bore  ! 

How  longe  Juno,  thurgh  thy  cruelte,  68c 

Wiltow  werreyen  Thebes  the  citee? 

Alias  !   i-brouW^t  is  to  confusioun 

The  blood  royal  of  Cadme  and  Amphioun  ; 

Of  Cadmus,  which  that  was  the  firste  man 


46  THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

That  Thebes  bulde,  or  first  the  toim  bygan,  oyo 

And  of  that  cite  first  was  crowned  kyng, 

Of  his  lynage  am  I,  and  his  ofspring 

By  verray  lyne,  as  of  the  stok  ryal : 

And  now  I  am  so  caytyf  and  so  thral, 

That  he  that  is  my  mortal  enemy,  69s 

I  serve  him  as  his  squyer  povrely. 

And  yet  doth  Juno  me  w^el  more  schame, 

For  I  dar  nought  byknowe  myn  owne  name, 

But  ther  as  I  was  w^ont  to  bote  Arcite, 

Now  hoote  I  Philostrate,  nou^/^t  worth  a  myte.  7°° 

Alias  !  thou  felle  Mars,  alias  !  Juno, 

Thus  hathjKoure  ire  owre  kynrede  al/ordo, 

Save  oonly  me,  and  wrecched  Palamoun, 

That  Theseus  martyreth  in  prisoun. 

And  over  al  this,  to  sleen  me  utterly,  705 

Love  hath  his  fyry  dart  so  brennyngly 

I-styked  thurgh  my  trewe  careful  herte. 

That  schapen  was  my  deth  erst  than  my  scherte. 

2e  slen  me  with  j^oure  eyhen,  Emelye  ; 

2e  ben  the  cause  wherfore  that  I  dye.  710 

Of  al  the  remenant  of  myn  other  care 

Ne  sette  I  nought  the  mountaunce  of  a  tare, 

So  that  I  couthe  don  aught  toj^oure  plesaunce.' 

And  with  that  word  he  fel  doun  in  a  traunce 

A  long  tyme  ;  and  afterward  he  upsterte  71s 

This  Palamon,  that  thoughts  thurgh  his  herte 

He  felte  a  cold  swerd  sodeynliche  gljde  ; 

For  ire  he  quook,  no  lenger  nolde  he  byde. 

And  whan  that  he  hadde  herd  Arcites  tale, 

As  he  were  wood,  with  face  deed  and  pale,  720 

He  sterte  him  up  out  of  the  bussches  thikke. 

And  seyde  :   '  Arcyte,  false  traitour  wikke. 

Now  art  thou  Jient,  that  lovest  my  lady  so. 

For  whom  that  I  have  al  this  peyne  and  wo, 


THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  47 

And  art  my  blood,  and  to  my  counscil  sworn,  725 

As  I  ful  ofte  have  told  the  heere  byforn, 
And  hastbyjaped  here  duk  Theseus, 
And  falsly  chaunged  hast  thy  name  thus ; 
I  wol  be  deed,  or  elles  thou  schalt  dye. 
Thou  schalt  not  love  my  lady  Emelye,  73«* 

But  I  wil  love  hire  oonly  and  no  mo  ; 
For  I  am  Palamon  thy  mortal  fo. 
And  though  that  I  no  wepen  have  in  this  place, 
But  out  of  prisoun  am  y-stert  by  grace, 
I  drede  not  that  other  thou  schalt  dye,  735 

Or  thou  ne  schalt  not  loven  Emelye. 
Ches  which  thou  wilt,  for  thou  schalt  not  astcrte/ 
This  Arcite,  with  ful  dcspitous  hertc, 
Whan  he  him  knew,  and  hadde  his  tale  herd, 
As  fers  as  lyoun  pullede  out  a  swerd,  740 

And  seide  thus  :  '  By  God  that  sit  above, 
Nere  it  that  thou  art  sike  and  wood  for  love. 
And  eek  that  thou  no  wepne  hast  in  this  place. 
Thou  schuldest  nevere  out  of  this  grove  pace. 
That  thou  ne  schuldest  deyen  of  myn  bond.  745 

For  I  defye  the  seurte  and  the  bond 
Which  that  thou  seyst  I  have  maad  to  the. 
.What,  verray  fool,  think  wel  that  love  is  fre  ! 
And  I  wol  love  hire  mawgre  al  thy  might. 
But,  for  as  muche  thou  art  a  worthy  knight,  75° 

And  wilnest  to  dereyne  hire  by  batayle, 
Have  heer  my  trouthe,  to  morwe  I  nyl  not  fayle, 
Withouten  wityng  of  eny  other  wight. 
That  heer  I  wol  be  founden  as  a  knight, 
And  brvnsren  harnevs  ri^^ht  inousfh  for  the  ;  7SS 

And  ches  the  beste,  and  lef  the  worste  for  me. 
And  mete  and  drynke  this  night  wil  I  brynge 
Inough  for  the,  and  clothes  for  thy  beddynge. 
And  if  so  be  that  thou  my  lady  wynne, 


48  THE  KNIQHTES    TALE, 

And  sle  me  in  this  woode  ther  I  am  irine,  760 

Thou  maist  wel  han  thy  lady  as  for  me.' 

This  Palamon  answerede  :  '  I  graunte  it  the.' 

And  thus  they  ben  departed  til  a-morwe, 

When  ech  of  hem  hadde  leyd  his  feith  to  borwe. 

O  Cupide,  out  of  alle  charite  !  76s 

O  regne,  that  wolt  no  felawe  han  with  the  ! 
Ful  soth  is  seyd,  that  love  ne  lordschipe 
Wol  not,  his  thonkes,  han  no  felaweschipe. 
Wel  fynden  that  Arcite  and  Palamoun. 
Arcite  is  riden  anon  unto  the  toun,  770 

And  on  the  morwe,  or  it  were  dayes  light, 
Ful  prively  two  barneys  hath  he  dight, 
Bothe  suffisaunt  and  mete  to  darreyne 
The  batayle  in  the  feeld  betvvix  hem  tweyne. 
And  on  his  hors,  alone  as  he  was  born,  77s 

He  caryeth  al  this  barneys  him  byforn  ; 
And  in  the  grove,  at  tyme  and  place  i-set. 
This  Arcite  and  this  Palamon  ben  met. 
Tho  chaungen  gan  the  colour  in  here  face. 
Right  as  the  honter  in  the  regne  of  Trace  780 

That  stondeth  in  the  gappe  with  a  spere, 
Whan  honted  is  the  lyoun  or  the  here. 
And  hereth  him  come  ruschyng  in  the  greves, 
And  breketh  bothe  bowes  and  the  leves, 
And  thinketh,  '  Here  cometh  my  mortel  enemy,  785 

Withoute  faile,  he  mot  be  deed  or  I ; 
For  eyther  I  mot  slen  him  at  the  gappe. 
Or  he  moot  sleen  me,  if  that  me  myshappe : ' 
So  ferden  they,  in  chaungyng  of  here  hewe, 
As  fer  as  everich  of  hem  other  knewe.  790 

Ther  nas  no  good  day,  ne  no  saluyng ; 
But  streyt  withouten  wordes  rehersyng, 
Everych  of  hem  help  for  to  armen  other. 
As  frendly  as  he  were  his  owne  brother ; 


THE  KNIOHTES   TALE.  49 

And  after  that  with  scharpe  speres  stronge  7qs 

They  foynen  ech  at  other  wonder  longe. 

Thou  myghtest  wene  that  this  Pahimon 

In  his  fightyng  were  as  a  wood  lyoun, 

And  as  a  cruel  tygre  was  Arcite  : 

As  wilde  boores  gonne  they  to  smyte,  800 

That  frothen  white  as  fome  for  ire  wood. 

Up  to  the  ancle  foughte  they  in  here  blood. 

And  in  this  wise  I  lete  hem  fightyng  dwelle  ; 

And  forth  I  wol  of  Theseus  jkovv  telle. 

The  destyne,  mynistre  general,  80s 

That  executeth  in  the  world  over-al 
The4Durvcauns,  that  God  hath  seyn  byforn  ; 
So  strong  it  is,  that  though  the  world  hadde  sworn 
The  contrary  of  a  thing  byj^e  or  nay, 
2et  somtyme  it  schal  falle  upon  a  day  810 

That  falleth  nought  eft  withinne  a  thousend  j^eere. 
For  certeynly  oure  appetites  heere, 
Be  it  of  werre,  or  pees,  or  hate,  or  love, 
Al  is  it  reuled  by  the  sighte  above. 

This  mene  I  now  by  mighty  Theseus,  81= 

That  for  to  honten  is  so  desirous. 
And  namely  at  the  grete  hert  in  iSIay, 
That  in  his  bedde  ther  daweth  him  no  day, 
That  he  nys  clad,  and  redy  for  to  ryde 
With  honte  and  horn,  and  houndes  him  byside.  820 

For  in  his  hontyng  hath  he  such  delyt. 
That  it  is  al  his  joye  and  appet\'t 
To  been  himself  the  grete  hertes  bane, 
For  after  jSIars  he  serveth  now  Diane. 

Cleer  was  the  day,  as  I  have  told  or  this,  825 

And  Theseus,  with  alle  joye  and  blj-s, 
With  his  Ypolita,  the  fayre  queene, 
And  Emelye,  clothed  al  in  greene. 
On  honting  be  thay  riden  ryally. 

4 


50  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

And  to  the  grove,  that  stood  fid  faste  by,  830 

In  which  ther  was  an  hert  as  men  him  tolde, 

Duk  Theseus  the  streyte  wey  hath  holde. 

And  to  the  launde  he  rydeth  him  ful  righte. 

For  thider  was  the  hert  wont  have  his  flighte, 

And  over  a  brook,  and  so  forth  in  his  weye.  835 

This  duk  wol  have  a  cours  at  him  or  tvveye 

With  houndes,  swiche  as  that  him  lust  comaunde. 

And  whan  this  duk  was  come  unto  the  launde, 

Under  the  sonne  he  loketh,  and  anon 

He  was  war  of  Arcite  and  Palamon,  8^0 

That  fougfhten  breeme,  as  it  were  boores  tuo ; 

The  brio:hte  swerdes  wente  to  and  fro 

So  hidously,  that  with  the  leste  strook 

It  seemede  as  it  wolde  felle  an  00k ; 

But  what  they  were,  nothing  he  ne  woot.  845 

This  duk  his  courser  with  his  spores  smoot, 

And  at  a  stert  he  was  betwix  hem  tuoo. 

And  pullede  out  a  swerd  and  cride,   '  Hoo  ! 

Nomore,  up  peyne  of  leesyng  of  youv  heed. 

By  mighty  Mars,  he  schal  anon  be  deed,  850 

That  smyteth  eny  strook,  that  1  may  seen  ! 

But  telleth  me  what  mester  men  ye  been, 

That  ben  so  hardy  for  to  fighten  heere 

Withoute  jugge  or  other  officere, 

As  it  were  in  a  lystes  really? '  855 

This  Palamon  answerde  hastily, 

And  seyde  :   '  Sire,  what  nedeth  wordes  mo? 

We  ban  the  deth  deserved  bothe  tuo. 

Tuo  woful  wrecches  been  we,  and  kaytyves, 

That  ben  encombred  of  oure  owne  lyves  ;  86q 

And  as  thou  art  a  rightful  lord  and  juge, 

Ne  _yeve  us  neyther  mercy  ne  refuge. 

And  sle  me  first,  for  seynte  charite  ; 

But  sle  my  felavve  eek  as  wel  as  me. 


THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  51 

Or  sle  him  first ;  for,  though  thou  knovvc  it  lyte,  86s 

This  is  thy  mortal  fo,  this  is  Arcite, 

That  fro  thy  lond  is  banyscht  on  his  heed, 

For  which  he  hath  deserved  to  be  deed. 

For  this  is  he  that  com  unto  thi  gate 

And  seyde,  that  he  highte  Philostrate.  870 

Thus  hath  he  japed  the  ful  many  a  j^er, 

And  thou  hast  maked  him  thy  cheef  squyer. 

And  this  is  he  that  loveth  Emelye. 

For  sith  the  day  is  come  that  I  schal  dye, 

I  make  pleynly  my  confessioun,  87s 

That  I  am  thilke  vvoful  Palamoun, 

That  hath  thy  prisoun  broke  wikkedly. 

I  am  thy  mortal  foo,  and  it  am  I 

That  loveth  so  hoote  Emelj^e  the  brighte, 

That  I  wol  dye  present  in  hire  sighte.  880 

Therfore  I  aske  deeth  and  my  juwyse  ; 

But  slee  my  felawe  in  the  same  W3se, 

For  bothe  han  we  deserved  to  be  slayn.' 

This  worthy  duk  answerde  anon  agayn, 
And  seide,  '  This  is  a  schort  conclusioun  :  8S5 

lour  owne  mouth,  byjKour  confessioun. 
Hath  dampned  j^ou,  and  I  wil  it  recorde. 
It  nedeth  nought  to  pyne  yow  with  the  corde. 
2e  schul  be  deed  by  mighty  Mars  the  reede  ! ' 
The  queen  anon  for  verray  wommanhede  890 

Gan  for  to  wepe,  and  so  dede  Emelye, 
And  alle  the  ladies  in  the  companye. 
Gret  pite  was  it,  as  it  thoughte  hem  alle, 
That  evere  such  a  chaunce  schulde  falle  ; 
For  gentil  men  thei  were,  of  grot  estate,  895 

And  nothins:  but  for  love  was  this  debate. 
And  sawe  here  bloody  woundes  wyde  and  sore  ; 
And  alio  crvden,  bothe  Jesse,  and  more, 
'  Have  mercy,  Lord,  upon  us  worn  men  alle  ! ' 


52  THE  KNIQHTES    TALE. 

And  on  here  bare  knees  adoim  they  falle,  900 

And  wolde  han  kist  his  feet  ther  as  he  stood, 
Til  atte  laste  aslaked  was  his  mood; 
(  For  pite  renneth  sone  in  gentil  herte. 
And  though  he  first  for  ire  quok  and  sterte, 
He  hath  considerd  shortly  in  a  clause,  905 

The  trespas  of  hem  bothe,  and  eek  the  cause  : 
And  although  that  his  ire  here  gylt  accusede, 
2et  in  his  resoun  he  hem  bothe  excusede  ; 
And  thus  he  thouglite  wel  that  every  man 
Wol  helpe  himself  in  love  if  that  he  can,  910 

And  eek  delyvere  himself  out  of  prisoun  ; 
And  eek  his  herte  hadde  compassioun 
Of  vi^ommen,  for  they  w^epen  evere  in  oon  ; 
And  in  his  gentil  herte  he  thoughte  anoon. 
And  softe  unto  himself  he  seyde  :   '  Fy  gis 

Upon  a  lord  that  vvol  han  no  mere}', 
But  be  a  lyoun  bothe  in  word  and  dede, 
To  hem  that  ben  in  repentaunce  and  drede, 
As  wel  as  to  a  proud  dispitous  man, 

That  wol  maynteyne  that  he  first  bigan  !  920 

That  lord  hath  litel  of  discrecioun. 
That  in  such  caas  can  no  divisioun  ; 
But  weyeth  pride  and  humblesse  after  oon.' 
And  schortly,  whan  his  ire  is  thus  agon, 
He  gan  to  loken  up  with  eyen  lighte,  925 

And  spak  these  same  wordes  al  in  highte. 
'  The  god  of  love,  a  !   benedicite^ 
How  mighty  and  how  gret  a  lord  is  he  ! 
Agayns  his  might  ther  gayneth  non  obstacles. 
He  may  be  cleped  a  god  for  his  miracles ;  930 

For  he  can  maken  at  his  owne  gyse 
Of  everych  herte,  as  that  him  lust  devyse. 
Lo  her  this  Arcite  and  this  Palamoun, 
That  quytly  wcren  out  of  my  prisoun, 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  53 

And  mighte  han  lyved  in  Thebes  ryally,  935 

i\nd  witen  I  am  here  mortal  enemy, 

And  that  here  deth  Hth  in  my  might  also, 

And  jKet  hath  love,  maugre  here  eygh^n  tuo, 

I-broLight  hem  hider  bothe  for  to  dye. 

Now  loketh,  is  nat  that  an  heih  folye?  940 

Who  may  not  ben  a  fool,  if  that  he  love? 

Byhold  for  Goddes  sake  that  sit  above, 

Se  how  they  blede  !  be  they  nought  wel  arrayed  ? 

Thus  hath  here  lord,  the  god  of  love,  y-payed 

Here  v^agres  and  here  fees  for  here  servise.  945 

And  yet  they  wenen  for  to  ben  ful  wise 

That  serven  love,  for  ought  that  may  bifalle. 

But  this  isjKet  the  beste  game  of  alle, 

That  sche,  for  whom  they  han  this  jolitee, 

Can  hem  therfore  as  moche  thank  as  me.  950 

Sche  woot  no  more  of  al  this  hoote  fare, 

By  God,  than  wot  a  cuckow  or  an  hare. 

But  al  moot  ben  assayed,  hoot  and  cold  ; 

A  man  moot  ben  a  fool  or_yong  or  old  ;  '» 

I  woot  it  by  myself  ful  _yore  agon  :  955 

For  in  my  tyme  a  servant  was  I  on. 

And  therfore,  syn  I  knowe  of  loves  peyne, 

And  wot  how  sore  it  can  a  man  destreyne. 

As  he  that  hath  ben  caught  ofte  in  his  lace, 

I  you  forj^eve  al  holly  this  trespace,  960 

At  request  of  the  queen  that  kneleth  heere. 

And  eek  of  Emelye,  my  suster  deere. 

And  ye  schul  bothe  anon  unto  me  swere, 

That  neveremo  ye  schul  my  corowne  dere, 

Ne  make  werre  upon  me  night  ne  day,  965 

But  ben  my  freendes  in  al  that  ye  may. 

I  ^ow  for_yeve  this  trespas  every  del.' 

And  they  him  swore  his  axyng  fayre  and  wel. 

And  him  of  lordschipe  and  of  mercy  prayde, 


54  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

And  he  hem  graunteth  grace,  and  thus  he  sayde  :  Q70 

'  To  speke  of  real  lynage  and  richesse, 

Though  that  sche  were  a  queen  or  a  pryncesse, 

Ech  of  _yow  bothe  is  worthy  douteles 

To  wedden  when  tyme  is,  but  natheles 

I  speke  as  for  my  suster  Emelye,  975 

For  whom  ye  han  this  stryf  and  jelousye, 

2e  wite  j/oureself  sche  may  not  wedde  two 

At  oones,  though  ye  fighten  evere  mo  : 

That  oon  of  _yow,  al  be  him  loth  or  leef, 

He  mot  go  pypen  in  an  ivy  leef;  980 

This  is  to  sayn,  sche  may  nought  now  han  bothe, 

Al  be  ye  nevere  so  jelous,  ne  so  wrothe. 

And  for-thy  I  you  putte  in  this  degre, 

That  ech  of  j^ou  schal  have  his  destyne. 

As  him  is  schape,  and  herkneth  in  what  wyse ;  985 

Lo  here  your  ende  of  that  I  schal  devyse. 

My  wil  is  this,  for  plat  conclusioun, 
Withouten  eny  repplicacioun. 
If  that  you  liketh,  tak  it  for  the  beste, 
That  everych  of  you.  schal  gon  wher  him  leste  9^0 

Frely  withouten  raunsoun  or  daungeer  ; 
And  this  day  fyfty  wykes,  fer  ne  neer, 
Everich  of  jkou  schal  brynge  an  hundred  knightes, 
Armed  for  lystes  up  at  alle  rightes, 

Al  redy  to  derayne  hire  by  batayle.  99s 

And  this  byhote  I  you  withouten  fayle 
Upon  my  trouthe,  and  as  I  am  a  knight. 
That  wdiether  of  jow  bothe  that  hath  might. 
This  is  to  seyn,  that  whether  he  or  thou 
May  with  his  hundred,  as  I  spak  of  now,  1000 

Slen  his  contrarye,  or  out  of  lystes  dryve, 
Thanne  schal  I  j/even  Emelye  to  wyve,  • 

To  whom  that  fortune  j/eveth  so  fair  a  grace. 
The  lystes  schal  I  maken  in  this  place, 


rilE   KNIGETES    TALE.  55 

And  God  so  v>'jsly  on  my  sowle  rewe,  1005 

As  I  schal  evene  juge  beii  and  trewe. 

Th  schul  non  other  ende  with  me  make, 

That  oon  of  j^ow  ne  schal  be  deed  or  take. 

And  If  you  thinketh  this  is  wel  i-sayd, 

Sayeth  _youre  avy^s,  and  holdeth  j^ow  apayd.  loic 

This  isj/oure  ende  andjvoure  concUisioun.' 

Who  loketh  hghtly  now  but  Pahimoun  ? 

Who  spryngeth  up  for  joye  but  Arcite? 

Who  couthe  telle,  or  who  couthe  it  endite, 

The  joye  that  is  maked  in  the  place  1015 

Whan  Theseus  hath  don  so  fair  a  grace? 

But  down  on  knees  wente  every  maner  wight, 

And  thanken  him  with  al  here  herte  and  miht, 

And  naniely  the  Thebans  ofte  sithe. 

And  thus  with  good  hope  and  with  herte  blithe  1020 

They  take  here  leve,  and  hom-ward  gonne  they  ryde 

To  Thebes  with  his  olde  walles  wyde. 

I  trowe  men  wolde  deme  it  necligence, 
If  I  for_yete  to  telle  the  dispence 

Of  Theseus,  that  goth  so  busily  1025 

To  maken  up  the  lystes  rially  ; 
That  such  a  noble  theatre  as  it  was, 
I  dar  wel  sayn  that  in  this  world  ther  nas. 
The  circuit  a  myle  was  aboute, 

Walled  of  stoon,  and  dyched  al  withoute.  1030 

Round  was  the  schap,  in  maner  of  compaas, 
Ful  of  degrees,  the  heighte  of  sixty  paas, 
That  whan  a  man  was  set  in  o  degre 
He  lette  nought  his  felawe  for  to  se. 

Est-ward  ther  stood  a  gate  of  marbel  whit,  1035 

West-ward  right  such  another  in  the  opposit. 
And  schortly  to  conclude,  such  a  place 
Was  non  in  erthe  as  in  so  litel  space  ; 
For  in  the  lond  ther  nas  no  crafty  man, 


56  THE  KNIOHTES   TALE. 

That  geometry  or  arsmetrike  can,  1040 

Ne  portre}'our,  ne  kervere  of  ymages, 

That  Theseus  nejK'if  hem  mete  and  wages 

The  theatre  for  to  maken  and  devyse. 

And  for  to  don  his  ryte  and  sacrifise, 

He  est-ward  hath  upon  the  gate  above,  104s 

In  worschipe  of  Venus,  goddesse  of  love, 

Don  make  an  auter  and  an  oratorye  ; 

And  v^^est-ward  in  the  mynde  and  in  memorye 

Of  Mars,  he  hath  i-maked  such  another, 

That  coste  largel}^  of  gold  a  fother.  1050 

And  north-ward,  in  a  toret  on  the  walle. 

Of  alabaster  whit  and  reed  coralle 

An  oratorye  riche  for  to  see, 

In  worschipe  of  Dyane,  of  chastite. 

Hath  Theseus  doon  wrought  in  noble  wise.  1055 

ButjKit  hadde  I  forjeten  to  devyse 

The  noble  kervyng,  and  the  purtreitures. 

The  schap,  the  contenaunce  and  the  figures. 

That  weren  in  these  oratories  thre. 

First  in  the  temple  of  Venus  may  stow  se  1060 

Wrought  on  the  wal,  ful  pitous  to  byholde, 
The  broken  slepes,  and  the  sykes  colde  ; 
The  sacred  teeres,  and  the  wayment3'ng ; 
The  fyry  strokes  of  the  desiryng. 

That  loves  servauntz  in  this  lyf  enduren  ;  1065 

The  othes,  that  here  covenantz  assuren. 
Plesance  and  hope,  desyr,  fool-hardynesse, 
Beaute  andj^outhe,  baudery  and  richesse, 
Charmes  and  force,  lesynges  and  flaterye, 
Dispense,  busynesse,  and  jelousye,  1070 

That  werede  of  yelwe  guides  a  gerland, 
And  a  cukkow  sittyng  on  hire  hand  ; 
Festes,  instrumentz,  carols,  and  daunces, 
Lust  and  array,  and  alle  the  circumstaunces 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  57 

Of  love,  which  that  I  rekned  have  and  schal,  107s 

By  ordre  wereii  peynted  on  the  wal. 

And  mo  than  I  can  make  of  mencioun. 

For  sothly  al  the  mount  of  Citheroun, 

Ther  Venus  hath  hire  principal  dwellyng, 

Was  schewed  on  the  wal  in  portraying,  1080 

With  al  the  gardyn,  and  the  lustynesse. 

Nought  was  forj/ete  the  porter  Ydelnesse, 

Ne  Narcisus  the  fayre  of  yore  agon, 

Nejvet  the  folye  of  kyng  Salamon, 

Ne  eek  the  grete  strengthe  of  Hercules,  108 s 

Thenchauntementz  of  Medea  and  Circes, 

Ne  of  Turnus  with  the  hardy  fiers  corage. 

The  riche  Cresus  caytif  in  servage. 

Thus  mayjve  seen  that  wisdom  ne  richesse, 

Beaute  ne  sleighte,  strengthe,  ne  hard3'nesse,  1090 

Ne  may  with  Venus  holde  champartye. 

For  as  hire  lust  the  world  than  may  sche  gye, 

Lo,  alle  thise  folk  i-caught  were  in  hire  las, 

Til  they  for  wo  ful  often  sayde  alias. 

Sufficeth  heere  ensamples  oon  or  tuo,  1095 

And  though  I  couthe  rekne  a  thousend  mo. 

The  statu  of  Venus,  glorious  for  to  see. 

Was  naked  fletyng  in  the  large  see, 

And  fro  the  navel  doun  al  covered  was 

With  wawes  grene,  and  brighte  as  eny  glas.  xioo 

A  citole  in  hire  right  hond  hadde  sche, 

And  on  hire  heed,  ful  semely  for  to  see, 

A  rose  garland  fresch  and  wel  smellyng. 

Above  hire  heed  hire  dowves  flikeryng. 

Biforn  hire  stood  hire  sone  Cupido,  1105 

Upon  his  schuldres  wynges  hadde  he  tuo  ; 

And  blynd  he  was,  as  it  is  often  scene  ; 

A  bowe  he  bar  and  arwes  brighte  and  kene. 

Why  schulde  I  nought  as  wel  cek  telle  you  alle 


58  THE  ENIGHTES    TALE. 

The  portraiture,  that  was  upon  the  walle  mo 

Withinne  the  temple  of  mighty  Mars  the  reede? 
Al  peynted  was  the  wal  in  lengthe  and  breede 
Lik  to  the  estres  of  the  grisly  place, 
That  highte  the  grete  temple  of  Mars  in  Trace, 
In  thilke  colde  frosty  regioun,  ms 

Ther  as  Mars  hath  his  sovereyn  mancioun. 
First  on  the  wal  was  peynted  a  forest, 
In  which  ther  dwelleth  neyther  man  ne  best. 
With  knotty  knarry  bareyn  trees  olde 
Of  stubbes  scharpe  and  hidous  to  byholde  ;  1120 

In  which  ther  ran  a  swymbel  in  a  swough. 
As  though  a  storm  schulde  bersten  every  bough  : 
And  downward  on  an  hil  under  a  bente, 
Ther  stood  the  temple  of  Marz  armypotente, 
Wrought  al  of  burned  steel,  of  which  thentrc  1125 

Was  long  and  streyt,  and  gastly  for  to  see. 
And  therout  cam  a  rage  and  such  a  vese, 
That  it  made  al  the  gates  for  to  rese. 
The  northen  light  in  at  the  dores  schon. 
For  wyndowe  on  the  wal  ne  was  ther  noon,  1130 

Thurgh  which  men  mighten  any  light  discerne. 
The  dores  were  alle  of  ademaunrz  eterne, 
I-clenched  overthwart  and  endelong 
With  iren  tough  ;  and,  for  to  make  it  strong. 
Every  piler  the  temple  to  susteene  1^35 

Was  tonne  greet,  of  iren  bright  and  schene. 
Ther  saugh  I  first  the  derke  ymaginyng 
Of  feloyne,  and  al  the  compassyng ; 
The  cruel  ire,  as  reed  as  eny  gleede  ; 

JThe  pikepurs,  and  eek  the  pale  drede  ;  1140 

V^The  smyler  with  the  knyf  under  his  cloke  ; 
The  schepne  brennyng  with  the  blake  smoke  ; 
The  tresoun  of  the  murtlieryng  in  the  bed  ; 
The  open  werre,  with  woundes  al  bi-bled  ; 


THE  KNIOHTES   TALE.  59 

Contek  with  bloody  knyf,  and  scharp  manace.  ii4s 

Al  ful  of  chirkyng  was  that  sory  place. 

The  sleere  of  himself  jet  saugh  I  there, 

His  herte-blood  hath  bathed  al  his  here  ; 

The  nayl  y-dryven  in  the  §chode  a-nyght ; 

The  colde  deth,  with  mouth  gapyng  upright.  1150 

Amyddes  of  the  temple  sat  meschaunce, 

With  disconfort  and  sory  contenaunce. 

2et  saugh  I  woodnesse  laughying  in  his  rage  ; 

Armed  complaint,  outhees,  and  hers  outrage. 

The  caroigne  in  the  bussh,  with  throte  y-corve :  1155 

A  thousand  slain,  and  not  of  qualme  y-storve  ; 

The  tiraunt,  with  the  prey  by  force  y-raft ; 

The  toun  destroied,  thcr  was  no  thyng  laft. 

2et  sawgh  I  brent  the  schippes  hoppesteres  ; 

The  hunte  strangled  with  the  wilde  beres :  "60 

The  sowe  freten  the  child  right  in  the  cradel ; 

The  cook  i-skalded,  for  al  his  longe  ladel. 

Nought  was  forj/eten  by  the  infortune  of  Marte ; 

The  cartere  over-ryden  with  his  carte. 

Under  the  whel  ful  lowe  he  lay  adoun.  "6s 

Ther  were  also  of  Martz  divisioun. 

The  harbour,  and  the  bocher,  and  the  smyth, 

That  forgeth  scharpe  swerdes  on  his  stith. 

And  al  above  depeynted  in  a  tour 

Saw  I  conquest  sittyng  in  gret  honour,  1170 

With  the  scharpe  swerd  over  his  heed 

Hangynge  by  a  sotil  tvvj^ne  threed. 

Depeynted  was  the  slaughtre  of  Julius, 

Of  grete  Nero,  and  of  Anthonius  ; 

Al  be  that  thilke  tyme  they  were  unborn,  1175 

T^t  was  here  deth  depeynted  ther  byforn. 

By  manasyng  of  Mars,  right  by  figure. 

So  was  it  schewed  in  that  purtreiture 

As  is  depeynted  in  the  sterres  above, 


6o  THE  KNIOHTES    TALE. 

Who  schal  be  slayn  or  elles  deed  for  love.  nSo 

Sufficeth  oon  ensample  in  stories  olde, 

I  may  not  rekne  hem  alle,  though  I  wolde. 

The  statue  of  Mars  upon  a  carte  stood, 
Armed,  and  lokede  grym  as  he  were  wood  ; 
And  over  his  heed  ther  schynen  two  figures  uSs 

Of  sterres,  that  been  cleped  in  scriptures. 
That  oon  Puella,  that  other  Rubeus. 
This  god  of  amies  was  arayed  thus :  — 
A  wolf  ther  stood  byforn  him  at  his  feet 
With  eyen  reede,  and  of  a  man  he  eet ;  ngo 

With  Sotyl  pencel  depeynted  was  this  storie, 
In  redoutyng  of  Mars  and  of  his  glorie. 

Now  to  the  temple  of  Dyane  the  chaste 
As  schortly  as  I  can  I  wol  me  haste, 

To  telle  jKOU  al  the  descripcioun.  nos 

Depeynted  ben  the  walles  up  and  down, 
Of  huntyng  and  of  schamefast  chastite. 
Ther  saugh  I  how  woful  Calystope, 
Whan  that  Dyane  agreved  was  with  here. 
Was  turned  from  a  womman  to  a  bere,  1200 

And  after  was  sche  maad  the  loode-sterre  ; 
Thus  was  it  peynted,  I  can  say  no  ferre  ; 
Hire  sone  is  eek  a  sterre,  as  men  may  see. 
Ther  sawgh  I  Dane  yturned  til  a  tree, 
I  mene  uoug'ht  the  goddesse  Dyane,  "05 

But  Peneus  dou^/^ter,  which  that  highte  Dane, 
Ther  saug^h  I  Atheon  an  hert  i-maked, 
For  vengeaunce  that  he  saugh  Dyane  al  naked  ; 
I  saugh  how  that  his  houndes  han  him  caught, 
And  freten  him,  for  that  they  knewe  him  naught.         121(7 
Tit  peynted  was  a  litel  forthermoor, 
How  Atthalaunte  huntede  the  wilde  boor. 
And  Meleagre,  and  many  another  ino, 
For  which  Dyane  wroughte  hem  care  and  woo. 


THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  6l 

Ther  saugh  I  many  another  wonder  storye,  1215 

The  whiche  me  list  not  drawe  to  memorye. 

This  goddesse  on  an  hert  ful  hyhe  seet, 

With  smale  hoimdes  al  aboute  hire  feet, 

And  undernethe  hire  feet  sche  hadde  a  moone, 

Wexyng  it  was,  and  schulde  wane  soone.  1220 

In  gaude  greene  hire  statue  clothed  was, 

With  bowe  in  honde,  and  jrwes  in  a  cas. 

Hir  ey^-^en  caste  sche  ful  lowe  adoun, 

Ther  Pluto  hath  his  derke  regioun. 


Wei  couthe  he  peynte  lyfly  that  it  wrou^/5te. 

With  many  a  floren  he  the  hewes  boughte.  1230 

Now  been  thise  listes  maad,  and  Theseus 
That  at  his  grete  cost  arayede  thus 
The  temples  and  the  theatre  every  del, 
Whan  it  was  don,  hym  likede  wonder  wel. 
But  stynte  I  wil  of  Theseus  a  lite,  1235 

And  speke  of  Palamon  and  of  Arcite. 

The  day  approcheth  of  here  retournynge, 
That  everych  schulde  an  hundred  kni^/^tes  brynge, 
The  bataille  to  derreyne,  as  I  you  tolde  ; 
And  til  Athenes,  here  covenant  to  holde,  1240 

Hath  everych  of  hem  brought  an  hundred  knightes 
Wel  armed  for  the  werre  at  alle  rightes. 
And  sikerly  ther  trowede  many  a  man 
That  nevere,  siththen  that  the  world  bigan, 
As  for  to  speke  of  knighthod  of  here  bond,  124? 

As  fer  as  God  hath  maked  see  or  lond, 
Nas,  of  so  fewe,  so  noble  a  companye. 
For  every  wight  that  lovede  chyvalr3'e, 
And  wolde,  his  thankes,  have  a  passant  name, 


62  THE  KNIGETES   TALE. 

Hath  preyed  that  he  mighte  ben  of  that  game  ;  1250 

And  wel  was  him,  that  therto  chosen  was. 

For  if  ther  felle  to  morwe  such  a  caas, 

Tq  knowen  wel,  that  every  lusty  knight,  ,  ^, 

That  loveth  paramours,  and  hath  his  might, 

Were  it  in  Engelond,  or  elleswhere,  1255 

They  wolde,  here  thankes,  wilne  to  be  there. 

To  fighte  for  a  lady  ;  benedicite  I 

It  were  a  lusty  sighte  for  to  see. 

And  right  so  ferden  they  with  Palamon, 

With  him  ther  Wente  knyghtes  many  oon  ;  1260 

Som  wol  ben  armed  in  an  habergoun, 

In  a  brest-plat  and  in  a  light  gypoun  ; 

And  somme  woln  have  a  peyre  plates  large  ; 

And  somme  woln  have  a  Pruce  scheld,  or  a  targe  ; 

Somme  woln  been  armed  on  here  legges  weel,  1265 

And  have  an  ax,  and  somme  a  mace  of  steel. 

Ther  nys  no  newe  gyse,  that  it  nas  old. 

Armed  were  they,  as  I  have  you  told, 

Everich  after  his  opinioun. 

Ther_maistow  sen  comyng  with  Palamoun  1270 

Ligurge  himself,  the  grete  kyng  of  Trace  ; 
Blak  was  his  herd,  and  manly  was  his  face. 
The  cercles  of  his  eyen  in  his  heed 
They  gloweden  bytwixe  j^elwe  and  reed  ; 
And  lik  a  griffoun  lokede  he  aboute,  1275 

With  kempe  heres  on  his  browes  stowte  ; 
His  lymes  greete,  his  brawnes  harde  and  stronge, 
His  schuldres  broode,  his  armes  rounde  and  longe. 
And  as  the  gyse  was  in  his  contre, 

Ful  heye  ujDon  a  char  of  gold  stood  he,  1280 

With  foure  white  boles  in  the  trays. 
Instede  of  cote  armure  over  his  harnays. 
With  nayles  jKelwe,  and  brighte  as  eny  gold. 
He  hadde  a  beres  skyn,  col-blak,  for-old. 


THE  KNIQETES    TALE.  61, 

His  longe  heer  was  kembd  byhynde  his  bak,  128s 

As  eny  ravens  fether  it  schon  for-blak. 

A  vvrethe  of  gold  arni-gret,  of  huge  wighte, 

Upon  his  heed,  set  ful  of  stoones  brighte, 

Of  fvne  rubies  and  of  dyamauntz. 

Aboute  his  char  ther  wenten  white  alauntz,  1290 

Twenty  and  mo,  as  grete  as  eny  steer, 

To  hunten  at  the  Ij'oun  or  the  deer. 

And  folwede  him,  with  mosel  faste  i-bounde, 

Colers  of  golde,  and  torettz  fyled  rounde. 

An  hundred  lordes  hadde  he  in  his  route  1295 

Armed  ful  wel,  with  hertes  sterne  and  stoute. 

With  Arcita,  in  stories  as  men  fynde, 
The  grete  Emetreus,  the  kyng  of  Ynde, 
Uppon  a  steede  bay,  trapped  in  steel, 

Covered  with  cloth  of  gold  dyapred  wel,  1300 

Cam  rydyng  lyk  the  god  of  armes.  Mars. 
His  coote  armure  was  of  cloth  of  Tars, 
Cowched  w^ith  perles  whyte  and  rounde  and  grete. 
His  sadel  was  of  brend  gold  newe  ybete  ; 
A  mantelet  upon  his  schuldre  hang^nig  1305 

Bret-ful  of  rubies  reede,  as  fir  sparclyng. 
His  crispe  heer  lik  rj-nges  was  j-roime, 
And  that  wasj/elwe,  and  gliteryng  as  the  sonne. 
His  nose  was  heigh,  his  eyen  bright  cytryn, 
His  lippes  rounde,  his  colour  was  sangwyn,  1310 

A  fewe  freknes  in  his  face  y-spreynd, 
Betwixe  jKelwe  and  somdel  blak  y-meynd, 
And  as  a  h'oun  he  his  lokvnsr  caste. 
Of  fyve  and  twenty  j'eer  his  age  I  caste. 
His  herd  was  wel  bygonne  for  to  sprynge ;  1315 

His  voys  was  as  a  trumpe  thunderynge. 
Upon  his  heed  he  werede  of  laurer  grene 
A  garlond  freisch  and  lusty  for  to  sene. 
Upon  his  bond  he  bar  for  his  deduyt 


64  THE  KNIGHTE8    TALE. 

An  egle  tame,  as  eny  lylie  whyt.  1320 

An  hundred  lordes  hadde  he  with  him  ther, 

Al  armed  sauf  here  hedes  in  here  ger, 

Ful  richely  in  alle  maner  thinges. 

For  trusteth  wel,  that  dukes,  erles,  kynges, 

Were  gadred  in  this  noble  companye,  132s 

For  love,  and  for  encres  of  chivahye. 

Aboute  this  kyng  ther  ran  on  every  part 

Ful  many  a  tame  lyoun  and  lepart. 

And  in  this  w^ise  thise  lordes  alle  and  some 

Been  on  the  Sonday  to  the  cite  come  1330 

Aboute  prime,  and  in  the  toun  alight. 

This  Theseus,  this  duk,  this  worthy  knight. 

Whan  he  hadde  brought  hem  into  his  cite, 

And  ynned  hem,  everich  at  his  degre 

He  festeth  hem,  and  doth  so  gret  labour  133s 

To  esen  hem,  and  don  hem  al  honour, 

That^it  men  wene  that  no  mannes  wyt 

Of  non  estat  ne  cowde  amenden  it. 

The  mynstralcye,  the  servyce  at  the  feste, 

The  grete  j/iftes  to  the  moste  and  leste,  1340 

The  riche  aray  of  Theseus  paleys, 

Ne  who  sat  first  ne  last  upon  the  deys, 

What  ladies  fayrest  ben  or  best  daunsynge, 

Or  which  of  hem  can  daunce  best  and  singe, 

Ne  who  most  felyngly  speketh  of  love  ;  134s 

What  haukes  sitten  on  the  perche  above. 

What  houndes  liggen  on  the  floor  adoun : 

Of  al  this  make  I  now  no  mencioun. 

But  of  theffect ;   that  thinketh  me  the  beste  ; 

Now  comth  the  poynt,  and  herkneth  if  jkou  leste.  135a 

The  Sonday  night,  or  day  bigan  to  springe. 
When  Palamon  the  larke  herde  synge, 
Although  it  nere  nought  day  by  houres  tuo, 
T'\t  sang  the  larke,  and  Palamon  also 


TEE  ENIGETES    TALE.  65 

With  holy  herte,  and  with  an  heih  corage  uss 

He  roos,  to  wendeii  on  his  pilgrymage 

Unto  the  bhsful  Citherea  benigne, 

I  meiie  Venus,  honorable  and  digne. 

And  in  hire  hour  he  walketh  forth  a  paas 

Unto  the  lystes,  ther  hire  temple  was,  1360 

And  doun  he  kneleth,  and,  with  humble  cheere 

And  herte  sore,  he  scide  as  j/e  schul  heere. 

'  Faireste  of  faire,  O  lady  myn  Venus, 
Doughter  of  Jove,  and  spouse  to  Vulcanus, 
Thou  gladere  of  the  mount  of  Citheroun,  ■  1365 

For  thilke  love  thou  haddest  to  Adeoun 
Have  pite  of  my  bittre  teeres  smerte. 
And  tak  myn  humble  prayere  to  thin  herte. 
Alias  !  I  ne  have  no  lang^ag-e  to  telle 

Thefiectes  ne  the  tormentz  of  myn  helle  ;  J370 

Myn  herte  may  myn  harmes  nat  bewreye ; 
I  am  so  confus,  that  I  can  not  seye. 
But  mercy,  lady  brighte,  that  knowest  wele 
My  thought,  and  seest  what  harmes  that  I  fele, 
Considre  al  this,  and  rewe  upon  my  sore,  137s 

As  wisly  as  I  schal  for  evermore, 
Em  forth  my  might,  thi  trewe  servaunt  be, 
And  holden  werre  alway  with  chastite  ; 
That  make  I  myn  avow,  so  yQ  me  helpe. 
I  kepe  nat  of  amies  for  to  j'elpe.  1380 

Ne  I  ne  aske  nat  to-morwe  to  have  victorie, 
Ne  renoun  in  this  caas,  ne  veyne  glorie 
Of  pris  of  armes,  blovven  up  and  doun. 
But  I  wolde  have  fully  possessioun 

Of  Emelye,  and  dye  in  thi  servise  ;  1385 

Fynd  thou  the  maner  how,  and  in  what  wyse 
I  recche  nat,  but  it  may  better  be. 
To  have  victorie  of  him,  or  he  of  me, 
/  So  that  I  have  my_  kidy  in  myn  armes. 

5 


66  THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

For  though  so  be  that  Mars  is  god  of  armes,  1390 

loure  vertu  Is  so  gret  in  heven  above, 

That  if  you  Hst  I  schal  wel  han  my  love. 

Thy  temple  wol  I  worschipe  everemo, 

And  on  thin  auter,  wher  I  ryde  or  go, 

I  wol  don  sacrifice,  and  fyres  beete.  139s 

And  if  ye  wol  nat  so,  my  lady  sweete. 

Than  praye  I  the,  to  morwe  with  a  spere 

That  Arcita  me  thurgh  the  herte  bere. 

Thanne  rekke  I  nat,  whan  I  have  lost  my  lyf, 

Though  that  Arcite  wynne  hire  to  his  wyf.  1400 

This  is  theffect  and  ende  of  my  prayere, 

T\i  me  my  love,  thou  blisful  lady  deere.' 

Whan  thorisoun  was  doon  of  Palamon, 

His  sacrifice  he  dede,  and  that  anoon 

Ful  pitously,  with  alle  circumstances,  1405 

Al  telle  I  nat  as  now  his  observances. 

But  atte  laste  the  statu  of  Venus  schook, 

And  made  a  signe,  wherby  that  he  took 

That  his  prayere  accepted  was  that  day. 

P'or  though  the  signe  schewede  a  delay,  1410 

2et  wiste  he  wel  that  graunted  was  his  boone  ; 

And  with  glad  herte  he  wente  him  hom  ful  soone. 

The  thridde  hour  inequal  that  Palamon 
Bigan  to  Venus  temple  for  to  goon, 

Lp  roos  the  sonne,  and  up  roos  Emelye,  1415 

And  to  the  temple  of  Diane  gan  sche  hye. 
Hire  maydens,  that  sche  thider  with  hire  ladde, 
Ful  redily  with  hem  the  fyr  they  hadde, 
Thencens,  the  clothes,  and  the  remenant  al 
1  hat  to  the  sacrifice  longen  schal ;  M20 

The  homes  fulle  of  meth,  as  was  the  gyse ; 
Ther  lakkede  nou^//t  to  don  hire  sacrifise. 
Smokyng  the  temple,  ful  of  clothes  faire, 
This  Emelye  with  herte  debonaire 


THE  KXIGHTES   TALE.  6*J 

Hire  body  wessch  with  water  of  a  welle  ;  1425 

But  how  sche  dide  hire  rite  I  dar  nat  telle, 
But  it  be  eny  thing  in  general ; 

And  j/et  it  were  a  game  to  heren  al ;  v 

JTo  him  that  meneth  wel  it  were  no  charge : 
But  it  is  good  a  man  be  at  his  large.  1430 

Hire  brighte  hcer  was  kempt,  untressed  al ; 
A  corone  of  a  grene  ok  cerial 
Upon  hire  heed  was  set  ful  faire  and  meete. 
Tuo  fyres  on  the  auter  gan  sche  beete. 
And  dide  hire  thinges,  as  men  may  biholde  1435 

In  Stace  of  Thebes,  and  thise  bokes  olde. 
Whan  kynled  was  the  fyr,  with  pitous  cheere 
Unto  Dyane  sche  spak,  asje  may  heere. 

'  O  chaste  goddesse  of  the  woodes  greene, 
To  whom  bothe  heven  and  erthe  and  see  is  scene,         1440 
Qiieen  of  the  regne  of  Pluto  derk  and  lowe, 
Goddesse  of  maydens,  that  myn  herte  hast  knowe 
Ful  many  a  yeer,  and  woost  what  I  desire, 
As  keep  me  fro  thi  vengeaunce  and  thin  yre, 
That  Atheon  aboughte  trewely  :  1445 

Chaste  goddesse,  wel  wost  thou  that  I 
Desire  to  ben  a  mayden  al  my  lyf, 
Ne  nevere  wol  I  be  no  love  ne  wyf. 
I  am,  thou  wost,  y\t  of  thi  companye, 
A  mayde,  and  love  huntyng  and  venerye,  '\  t'y.^^A.Ajr^^Mso 
And  for  to  walken  in  the  woodes  wylde, 


Now  help  me,  lady,  syth  ye  may  and  kan. 

For  tho  thre  formes  that  thou  hast  in  the.  145s 

And  Palamon,  that  hath  such  love  to  me, 

And  eek  Ai'cite,  that  loveth  me  so  sore. 

This  grace  I  praye  the  withouten  more. 

As  sende  love  and  pees  betwixe  hem  two ; 


68  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

And  fro  me  torne  awey  here  hertes  so,  1460 

That  al  here  hoote  love,  and  here  ciesir, 
And  al  here  bisy  torment,  and  here  fyr 
Be  queynt,  or  turned  in  another  place  ; 
And  if  so  be  thou  wolt  do  me  no  grace, 
Or  if  my  destyne  be  schapen  so,  146s 

That  I  schal  needes  have  on  of  hem  two, 
(As  sende  me  him  that  most  desireth  mejj 
Bihold,  goddesse  of  clene  chastite, 
The  bittre  teeres  that  on  my  cheekes  falle. 
Syn  thou  art  mayde,  and  kepere  of  us  alle,  147° 

My  maydenhode  thou  kepe  and  w^el  conserve, 
And  whil  I  lyve  a  mayde  I  wil  the  serve.' 
The  fyres  brenne  upon  the  auter  cleere, 
Whil  Emelye  was  thus  in  hire  preyere  ; 
But  sodeinly  sche  saugh  a  sighte  queynte,-\  1475 

For  right  anon  on  of  the  fyres  queynte,     / 
And  quykede  agayn,  and  after  that  anon 
That  other  fyr  was  queynt,  and  al  agon  ; 
And  as  it  queynte,  it  made  a  whistelyng, 
As  doth  a  wete  brond  in  his  brennyng.  i4So 

And  at  the  brondes  ende  out-ran  anoon 
As  it  were  bloody  dropes  many  oon  ; 
For  which  so  sore  agast  was  Emelye, 
That  sche  was  wel  neih  mad,  and  gan  to  crie, 
For  sche  ne  wiste  what  it  signifyede  ;  1485 

But  oonly  for  the  feere  thus  sche  cryede 
And  wep,  that  it  was  pite  for  to  heere. 
And  therwithal  Dyane  gan  appeere. 
With  bowe  in  bond,  right  as  an  hunteresse, 
And  seyde  :   '  Doughter,  stynt  thyn  hevynesse.  1490 

Among  the  goddes  hye  it  is  affermed, 
And  by  eterne  word  write  and  confermed, 
Thou  schalt  ben  wedded  unto  oon  of  tho 
That  han  for  the  so  moche  care  and  wo  ; 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  69 

But  unto  vvliich  of  hem  I  may  nat  telle.  149s 

Farwel,  for  I  ne  may  no  lenger  dvvelle. 

The  fyres  which  that  on  myn  auter  brenne 

Schuln  the  declaren,  or  that  thou  go  hennc, 

Thyn  aventure  of  love,  as  in  this  caas/  ~\ 

And  with  that  word,  the  arwes  in  the  caas  1500 

Of  the  goddesse  clatren  faste  and  rynge, 

And  forth  sche  wente,  and  made  a  vanysschynge, 

For  which  this  Emelye  astoneyd  was. 

And  seide,  '  What  amounteth  this,  alias  ! 

I  putte  me  in  thy  proteccioun,  1505 

Dyane,  and  in  thi  disposicioun.' 

And  hoom  sche  goth  anon  the  nexte  waye. 

This  is  theffect,  ther  nys  no  more  to  saye. 

.     The  nexte  houre  of  Mars  folwynge  this, 

vArcite  unto  the  temple  walked  is  151° 

Of  fierse  Mars,  to  doon  his  sacrifise. 

With  alle  the  rites  of  his  payen  wise. 

With  pitous  herte  and  heih  devocioun, 

Right  thus  to  Mars  he  sayde  his  orisoun  : 

'  O  stronge  god,  that  in  the  regnes  colde  1515 

Of  Trace  honoured  art  and  lord  y-holde, 

And  hast  in  every  regne  and  every  londe 

Of  armes  al  the  bridel  in  thyn  honde, 

And  hem  fortunest  as  the  lust  devyse, 

Accept  of  me  my  pitous  sacrifise.  1520 

If  so  be  that  my  j/outhe  may  deserve, 

And  that  my  might  be  worthi  for  to  sei-ve 

Thy  godhede  that  I  may  ben  on  of  thine. 

Then  praye  I  the  to  rewe  upon  my  pyne. 

1525 


70  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 


1530 


For  thilke  sorwe  that  was  in  thin  herte, 

Have  reuthe  as  wel  upon  my  peynes  smerte.  ^ 

I  am  jKong  and  unkonnyng,  as  thou  wost,  1535 

And,  as  I  trowe,  with  love  offended  most, 

That  evere  was  eny  lyves  creature  ; 

For  sche,  that  doth  me  al  this  wo  endure, 

Ne  rekketh  nevere  wher  I  synke  or  fleete. 

And  wel  I  woot,  or  sche  me  mercy  heete,  1540 

I  moot  with  strengthe  w'ynne  hire  in  the  place  ; 

And  wel  I  wot,  withouten  help  or  grace 

Of  the,  ne  may  my  strengthe  noughte  avayle. 

Then  lielp  me,  lord,  to-morwe  in  my  batayle, 

P'or  thilke  fyr  that  whilom  brente  the,  1545 

As  wel  as  thilke  fir  now  brenneth  me  ; 

And  do  that  I  to-morwe  have  victorie. 

Myn  be  the  travaile,  and  thin  be  the  glorie. 

Thy  soverein  temple  wol  I  most  honouren 

Of  any  place,  and  alway  most  labouren  1550 

In  thy  plesaunce  and  in  thy  craftes  stronge. 

And  in  thy  temple  I  wol  my  baner  honge, 

And  alle  the  armes  of  my  companye  ; 

And  evermore,  unto  that  day  I  dye, 

Eterne  fyr  I  wol  biforn  the  fynde.  isss 

And  eek  to  this  avow  I  wol  me  bynde  : 

My  berd,  m}^!  heer  that  hangeth  longe  adoun, 

That  nevere  y'lt  ne  felte  offensioun 

Of  rasour  ne  of  schere,  I  wol  the  j/ive, 

And  be  thy  trewe  servaunt  whil  I  lyve.  1560 

Now  lord,  have  rowthe  uppon  my  sorwes  sore, 

2"if  me  the  victorie,  I  aske  the  no  more.' 

The  preyere  stynte  of  Arcita  the  stronge,  -/-^*^ 

The  rynges  on  the  temple  dore  that  honge,  (  {A^  "^ 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  7 1 

And  eek  the  dores,  clatereden  ful  faste,  1565 

Of  which  Arcita  somwhat  hym  agaste. 

The  fyres  brende  upon  the  auter  brighte, 

That  it  gan  al  the  temple  for  to  lighte  ; 

And  swote  smel  the  ground  anon  upj'af, 

And  Arcita  anon  his  hand  up-haf,  1570 

And  more  encens  into  the  fyr  he  caste, 

With  othre  rites  mo  ;  and  atte  histe 

The  statu  of  Mars  bigan  his  hauberk  rynge. 

And  with  tliat  soun  he  herde  a  murmurynge 

Ful  lovve  and  dym,  that  sayde  thus,  '  Victorie.'  1575 

For  wdiich  he  j^af  to  Mars  honour  and  glorie. 

And  thus  with  jo3-e,  and  hope  wel  to  fare, 

Arcite  anoon  unto  his  inne  is  fare, 

As  favn  as  foul  is  of  the  brighte  sonne. 

And  right  anon  such  stryf  ther  is  bj'gonne  isSo 

For  thilke  grauntyng,  in  the  heven  above, 

Bitwixe  Venus  the  goddesse  of  love, 

And  INIars  the  sterne  god  armypotente. 

That  Jupiter  was  busy  it  to  stente  ; 

Til  that  the  pale  Saturnus  the  colde,  1585 

That  knew  so  manye  of  aventures  olde, 

Fond  in  his  olde  experiens  an  art. 

That  he  ful  sone  hath  plesed  every  part, 
'^s  soth  is  sayd,  eelde  hath  gret  avantage, 

In  eelde  is  bothe  wisdom  and  usage  ;  1590 

|Men  may  the  olde  at-renne,  but  nat  at-rede. 
^Saturne  anon,  to  stynte  stryf  and  drede, 

Al  be  it  that  it  is  aga3'ns  his  kynde. 

Of  al  this  stryf  he  gan  remedy  fynde. 

'  My  deere  dou^/^ter  Venus,'  quod  Saturne,  1595 

'  ]My  cours,  that  hath  so  wyde  for  to  turne, 

Hath  more  power  than  woot  eny  man. 

Myn  is  the  drenchyng  in  the  see  so  wan ; 

Myn  is  the  piisoun  in  the  derke  cote  ; 


72  THE  KNIOHTES    TALE. 

Myn  is  the  strangle  and  hangyng  by  the  throte  ;  1600 

The  murmure,  and  the  cherles  rebellyng. 

The  groyning,  and  the  pryve  empoysonyng ; 

I  do  vengeance  and  pleyn  correctioun, 

Whiles  I  dwelle  in  signe  of  the  lyoun^ 

Myn  is  the  ruyne  of  the  hihe  halles,  1605 

The  fallyng  of  the  toures  and  the  walles 

Upon  the  mynour  or  the  carpenter. 

I  slowh  Sampsoun  in  schakyng  the  piler. 

And  myne  ben  the  maladies  colde, 

The  derke  tresoun,  and  the  castes  olde  ;  1610 

Myn  lokyng  is  the  fader  of  pestilence. 

Now  wep  nomore,  I  schal  don  diligence 

That  Palamon,  that  is  thyn  owne  knight, 

Schal  have  his  ladv,  as  thou  hast  him  hijjht. 

Though  Mars  schal  helpe  his  knight,  yet  natheles         i6is 

Bitwixe  jj/ou  ther  moot  som  tyme  be  pees, 

Al  bejj/e  nought  of  00  complexioun. 

That  causeth  al  day  such  divisioun. 

I  am  thi  ayel,  redy  at  thy  wille  ; 

Wep  thou  nomore,  I  w^ol  thi  lust  fulfille.'  1620 

Now  wol  I  stynten  of  the  goddes  above, 

Of  Mars,  and  of  Venus  goddesse  of  love, 

And  telle  jKOu,  as  pleinly  as  I  can. 

The  grete  effect  for  which  that  I  bigan. 

Gret  was  the  feste  in  Athenes  that  day,  1625 

And  eek  the  lusty  sesoun  of  that  May 
Made  every  wight  to  ben  in  such  plesaunce. 
That  al  that  Monday  jousten  they  and  daunce, 
And  spenden  hit  in  Venus  heigh  servise. 
But  by  the  cause  that  they  schulde  arise  1630 

Erly  for  to  seen  the  grete  fight. 
Unto  their  reste  wente  they  at  nyght. 
And  on  the  morwe  whan  that  day  gan  sprynge, 
Of  hors  and  herneys  noyse  and  claterynge 


THE  KXIGHTES    TALE.  73 

Ther  was  in  the  hosteln-es  al  aboute  ;  1635 

And  to  the  paleys  rood  ther  many  a  route 

Of  lordes,  upon  steedes  and  paUVeys. 

Ther  mayst  thou  seen  devvsvng:  of  hernevs 

So  uncowth  and  so  riche,  and  wrought  so  wel 

Of  gfoldsmithrv,  of  browdynof,  and  of  steel ;  1^40 

The  scheldes  brighte,  testers,  and  trappures  ; 

Gold-beten  hehnes,  hauberkes,  cote-arniures ; 

Lordes  in  paramentz  on  here  courseres, 

Knightes  of  retenu,  and  eek  squyeres  " 

Naylyng  the  speres,  and  hehnes  bokelyng,  1645 

Gigg};iig  of  scheeldes,  with  layneres  lasyng ; 

Ther  as  need  is,  they  were  nothing  ydel ; 

The  fomv  steedes  on  the  golden  bridel 

Gnawvnor,  and  faste  the  armurers  also 

With  fyle  and  hamer  prikyng  to  and  fro  ;  1650 

Yemen  on  foote,  and  communes  many  oon 

With  schorte  staves,  thikke  as  they  may  goon ; 

Pypes,  trompes,  nakers,  and  clariounes, 

That  in  the  batai'^*  blowe  bloody  sownes ; 

The  paleys  ful  of  peples  up  and  doun,  1655 

Heer  thre,  ther  ten,  holdyng  here  questioun, 

Dwynvnof  of  thise  Thebane  knigrhtes  two. 

Somme  seyden  thus,  somme  seyde  it  schal  be  so  ; 

Somme  heelde  with  him  with  the  blake  berd, 

Somme  with  the  balled,  somme  with  the  thikke  herd  ;    1660 

Somme  sayde  lie  lokede  grym  and  he  wolde  fighte  ; 

He  hath  a  sparth  of  twenti  pound  of  wighte. 

Thus  was  the  halle  ful  of  devvnvnore, 

Longe  after  that  the  sonne  gan  to  springe. 

The  grete  Theseus  that  of  his  sleep  awaked  1665 

With  menstralcve  and  novse  that  was  maked, 

Heldj'it  the  chambre  of  his  paleys  riche. 

Til  that  the  Thebane  knvsrhtes  bothe  i-liche   -^ 

Honoured  weren  into  the  paleys  fet. 


74  TEE  KNIOHTES    TALE. 

Duk  Theseus  was  at  a  wyndow  set,  1670 

Arayed  right  as  he  were  a  god  in  trone. 

The  peple  preseth  thider-ward  ful  sone 

Him  for  to  seen,  and  doon  heigh  reverence, 

And  eek  to  herkne  his  hest  and  his  sentence. 

An  herowd  on  a  skaftbld  made  an  hoo,  1675 

Til  al  the  noyse  of  the  peple  was  i-doo  ; 

And  whan  he  sawh  the  peple  of  noyse  al  stille, 

Tho  schewede  he  the  mighty  dukes  wille.  / 

'  The  lord  hath  of  his  heih  discrecioun 
Considered,  that  it  were  destruccioun  3680 

To  gentil  blood,  to  lighten  in  the  gyse 
Of  mortal  bataille  now  in  this  emprise  ; 
Wherfore  to  schapen  that  they  schuhi  not  dye. 
He  wol  his  firste  purpos  modifye. 

No  man  therfore,  up  peyne  of  los  of  lyf,  1685 

No  maner  schot,  ne  poUax,  ne  schort  knyf 
Into  the  lystes  sende,  or  thider  brynge  ; 
Ne  schort  swerd  for  to  stoke,  with  point  bytynge, 
No  man  ne  drawe,  ne  bere  by  his  side. 
Ne  noman  schal  unto  his  felawe  ryde  1690 

But  oon  cours,  with  a  scharpe  ygrounde  spere  ; 
Fpyne  if  him  lust  on  foote,  himself  to  were. 
And  he  that  is  at  meschief,  schal  be  take, 
And  nat  slayn,  but  be  brought  unto  the  stake, 
That  schal  ben  ordeyned  on  eyther  syde  ;  1695 

But  thider  he  schal  by  force,  and  ther  abyde. 
And  if  so  falle,  the  cheventein  be  take 
On  eyther  side,  or  elles  sle  his  make. 
No  lenger  schal  the  turneynge  laste.     -^ 
God  spede  you  ;  go  forth  and  ley  on  faste.  1700 

With  long  swerd  and  with  mace  fi^//t  your  fiUe. 
Goth  now  jKoure  way  ;  this  is  the  lordes  wille.* 

The  voice  of  peple  touchede  the  heven. 
So  lowde  cride  thei  with  merv  Steven  : 


THE  KNIOHTES   TALE.  75 

'  God  save  such  a  lord  that  is  so  good,  1705 

He  wilneth  no  destruccioun  of  blood  ! ' 

Up  gon  the  trompes  and  the  melodye. 

And  to  the  lystes  ryt  the  companye 

By  ordynaunce,  tliurghout  the  cite  large, 

Hangyng  with  cloth  of  gold,  and  not  with  sarge.  1710 

Ful  lik  a  lord  this  noble  duk  gan  ryde, 

These  tuo  Thebanes  upon  eyther  side  ; 

And  after  rood  the  queen,  and  Emelye, 

And  after  that  another  companye, 

Of  oon  and  other  after  here  degre.  171s 

And  thus  they  passen  tliurghout  the  cite. 

And  to  the  lystes  come  thei  by  tyme. 

It  nas  not  of  the  day  j/et  fully  pryme, 

Whan  set  was  Theseus  ful  riche  and  hye, 

Ypolita  the  queen  and  Emelye,  172° 

And  other  ladyes  in  degrees  aboute. 

Unto  the  seetes  preseth  al  the  route ; 

And  west-ward,  thurgh  thej^ates  under  Marte, 

Arcite,  and  eek  the  hundred  of  his  parte. 

With  baner  red  ys  entred  right  anoon  ;  1725 

And  in  that  selve  moment  Palamon 

Is  under  Venus,  est-ward  in  that  place, 

With  baner  whyt,  and  hardy  cheere  and  face. 

In  al  the  world,  to  seeken  up  and  doun, 
So  evene  withouten  variacioun,  1730 

Ther  nere  suche  companyes  tweye. 
For  ther  nas  noon  so  wys  that  cowthe  seye, 
That  any  hadde  of  other  avauntage 
Of  worthinesse,  ne  of  estaat,  ne  age, 

So  evene  were  they  chosen  for  to  gesse.  173s 

And  in  two  renges  faire  they  hem  dresse. 
And  whan  here  names  rad  were  everychon. 
That  in  here  nombre  gile  were  ther  noon, 
Tho  were  the  j'ates  schet,  and  cried  was  lowde  : 


76  THE  KNIQHTES   TALE. 

'  Doth  now^your  devoir,  jj/onge  knightes  proude  ! '  1740 

The  heraldz  lafte  here  prikyng  up  and  doun  ; 

Now  ryngen  trompes  loude  and  chirloun  ; 

Ther  is  nomore  to  sayn,  but  west  and  est 

In  gon  the  speres  ful  sadly  in  arest ; 

In  goth  the  scharpe  spore  into  the  side.  174s 

Ther  seen  men  who  can  juste,  and  who  can  ryde  ; 

Ther  schyveren  schaftes  upon  scheeldes  thykke  ; 

He  feeleth  thurgh  the  herte-spon  the  prikke. 

Up  springen  speres  twenty  foot  on  highte  ; 

Out  goon  the  swerdes  as  the  silver  brighte.  1750 

The  helmes  thei  to-hewen  and  to-schrede  ; 

Out  brest  the  blood,  with  sterne  stremes  reede. 

With  mighty  maces  the  bones  thay  to-breste. 

He  thurgh  the  thikkeste  of  the  throng  gan  threste. 

Ther  stomblen  steedes  stronge,  and  doun  goon  alle.      1755 

He  rolleth  under  foot  as  doth  a  balle. 

He  foyneth  on  his  feet  with  a  tronchoun, 

And  he  him  hurtleth  with  his  hors  adoun. 

He  thurgh  the  body  is  hurt,  and  siththen  take 

Maugre  his  heed,  and  brou^/^t  unto  the  stake,  1760 

As  forward  was,  right  ther  he  moste  abyde. 

Another  lad  is  on  that  other  syde. 

And  som  tyme  doth  hem  Theseus  to  reste. 

Hem  to  refreissche,  and  drinken  if  hem  leste. 

Ful  ofte  a-day  han  thise  Thebanes  twoo  1765 

Togidre  y-met,  and  wrought  his  felawe  woo  ; 

Unhorsed  hath  ech  other  of  hem  tweye. 

Ther  nas  no  tygre  in  the  vale  of  Galgopheye, 

Whan  that  hire  whelpe  is  stole,  whan  it  is  lite, 

So  cruel  on  the  hunte,  as  is  Arcite  1770 

For  jelous  herte  upon  this  Palamon  : 

Ne  in  Belmarye  ther  nis  so  fel  lyoun. 

That  hunted  is,  or  for  his  hunger  wood, 

Ne  of  his  prey  desireth  so  the  blood. 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  77 

As  Palamon  to  slcn  his  foo  Arcite.  1775 

The  jelous  strokes  on  here  hehnes  byte  ; 

Out  renneth  blood  011  bothe  here  sides  reede. 

Som  tyme  an  endc  thcr  is  of  every  dede  ; 

For  er  the  sonne  unto  the  reste  wente, 

The  stronge  kyng  Emctrcus  gan  hente  1780 

This  Palamon,  as  he  faught  with  Arcite, 

And  made  his  swerd  depe  in  his  fleissch  to  byte  ; 

And  by  the  force  of  twenti  is  he  take 

Unyolden,  and  i-drawe  unto  the  stake. 

And  in  the  rescous  of  this  Palamon  1785 

The  stronge  kyng  Ligurge  is  born  adoun  ; 

And  kyng  Emetreus  for  al  his  strengthe 

Is  born  out  of  his  sadel  a  swerdes  lengthe, 

So  hitte  him  Palamon  er  he  were  take  ; 

But  al  for  nought,  he  was  brought  to  the  stake.  1790 

His  hardy  herte  mighte  him  helpe  nought ; 

He  moste  abyde  whan  that  he  was  caught, 

By  force,  and  eek  by  composicioun. 

Who  sorweth  now  but  woful  Palamoun, 

That  moot  nomore  gon  agayn  to  fighte  ?  179s 

And  whan  that  Theseus  hadde  seen  this  sighte, 

Unto  the  folk  that  foughten  thus  echon 

He  cryde,  '  Hoo  !  nomore,  for  it  is  doon  ! 

I  wol  be  trewe  juge,  and  nought  partye. 

Arcyte  of  Thebes  schal  have  Emelye,  1800 

That  by  his  fortune  hath  hire  faire  i-wonne.' 

Anoon  ther  is  a  noyse  of  people  bygonne 

For  joye  of  this,  so  lowde  and  heye  withalle. 

It  semede  that  the  listes  scholde  falle. 

What  can  now  fayre  Venus  doon  above?  1805 

What  seith  sche  now?  what  doth  this  queen  of  love? 
But  wepeth  so,  for  wantyng  of  hire  wille. 
Til  that  hire  teeres  in  the  lystes  fille  ; 
Sche  seyde  :  '  I  am  aschamed  douteles.' 


78  THE  KNIGETES    TALE. 

Saturnus  seyde  :  '  Dou^/zter,  hold  thy  pees.  1810 

Mars  hath  his  wille,  his  knight  hath  al  his  boone, 

And  by  myn  heed  thou  schalt  ben  esed  soone.' 

The  trompes  with  the  lowde  mynstralcye, 

The  herawdes,  that  ful  lowde  j/olle  and  crye, 

Been  in  here  wele  for  joye  of  daun  Arcyte.  1815 

But  herkneth  me,  and  stynteth  now  a  lite, 

Which  a  miracle  ther  bifel  anoon. 

This  fierse  Arcyte  hath  of  his  helm  ydoon. 

And  on  a  courser  for  to  schewe  his  face, 

He  priketh  endelonge  the  large  place,  1820 

Lokyng  upward  upon  his  Emelye  ; 

And  sche  agayn  him  caste  a  frendlych  ^yg'ke, 

(For  wommen,  as  to  speken  in  comune, 

Thay  folwen  al  the  favour  of  fortune) 

And  sche  was  al  his  cheere,  as  in  his  herte.  1825 

Out  of  the  ground  a  fyr  infernal  sterte. 

From  Pluto  sent,  at  request  of  Saturne, 

For  which  his  hors  for  feere  gan  to  turne, 

And  leep  asyde,  and  foundrede  as  he  leep ; 

And  or  that  Arcyte  may  taken  keep,  1830 

He  pighte  him  on  the  pomel  of  his  heed. 

That  in  the  place  he  lay  as  he  were  deed. 

His  brest  to-brosten  with  his  sadel-bowe. 

As  blak  he  lay  as  eny  col  or  crowe. 

So  was  the  blood  y-ronnen  in  his  face.  1835 

Anon  he  was  y-born  out  of  the  place 

With  herte  soor,  to  Theseus  paleys. 

The  was  he  corven  out  of  his  barneys. 

And  in  a  bed  y-brought  ful  faire  and  blyve, 

For  he  was  y'lt  in  memory  and  on  lyve,  1840 

And  alway  crying  after  Emelye. 

Duk  Theseus,  with  all  his  companye, 

Is  comen  hom  to  Athenes  his  cite. 

With  alle  blysse  and  gret  solempnit^. 


THE  KNIGHTES    TAlE.  79 

Al  be  it  that  this  aventure  was  falle,  1845 

He  nolde  nought  disconfortcn  hem  alle. 

Men  seyde  eek,  that  Arcita  schal  nought  dye, 

He  schal  ben  heled  of  his  mahidye. 

And  of  another  thing  they  were  as  fayn, 

That  of  hem  alle  was  thcr  noon  y-slayn,  1850 

Al  were  they  sore  hurt,  and  namely  oon, 

That  with  a  spere  was  thirled  his  brest  boon. 

To  othre  woundes,  and  to  broken  armes, 

Some  hadde  salves,  and  some  hadde  charmes, 

Fermacyes  of  herbes,  and  eek  save  1855 

They  dronken,  for  they  wolde  here  lymcs  have. 

For  which  this  noble  duk,  as  he  wel  can, 

Conforteth  and  honoureth  every  man, 

And  made  revel  al  the  longe  night, 

Unto  the  straunge  lordes,  as  was  right.  i860 

Ne  ther  was  holden  no  disconfytyng, 

But  as  a  justes  or  a  turneying  ; 

For  sothly  ther  was  no  disconfiture. 

For  fallynge  nis  not  but  an  aventure  ; 

Ne  to  be  lad  with  fors  unto  the  stake  1865 

Unyolden,  and  with  twenty  knightes  take, 

O  persone  allone,  withouten  moo. 

And  haried  forth  by  arme,  foot,  and  too. 

And  eek  his  steede  dryven  forth  with  staves, 

With  footmen,  bothej/emen  and  eek  knaves,  1870 

It  nas  aretted  him  no  vyleinye, 

Ther  may  no  man  clepe  it  no  cowardye. 

For  which  anon  Duk  Theseus  leet  crie. 
To  stynten  alle  rancour  and  envye, 

The  gree  as  wel  of  o  syde  as  of  other,  1875 

And  either  side  ylik  as  otheres  brother ; 
And  yi\{  hem  j^iftes  after  here  degre. 
And  fully  heeld  a  feste  dayes  thre  ; 
And  conveyede  the  kynges  worthily 


8o  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

Out  of  his  toun  a  journee  largely.  1880 

And  horn  wente  every  man  the  righte  way. 
Ther  was  no  more,  but  '  Farwel,  have  good  day  !' 
Of  this  bataylle  I  wol  no  more  endite, 
But  speke  of  Palamon  and  of  Arcyte. 

Swelleth  the  brest  of  Arcyte,  and  the  sore  isss 

Encresceth  at  his  herte  more  and  more. 
The  clothred  blood,  for  eny  leche-craft, 
Corrumpeth,  and  is  in  his  bouk  i-laft, 
That  nother  ve3^ne  blood,  ne  ventusyng, 
Ne  drynjs:e  of  herbes  may  ben  his  helpyng.  1890 

The  vertu  expulsif,  or  animal, 
Fro  thilke  vertu  cleped  natural, 
Ne  may  the  venym  voyde,  ne  expelle. 
The  pypes  of  his  longes  gan  to  swelle, 
^nd  every  lacerte  in  his  brest  adoun  1895 

Is  schent  with  venym  and  corrupcioun. 
Him  gayneth  nother,  for  to  gete  his  lyf, 
Vomyt  upward,  ne  dounward  laxatif ; 
Al  is  to-brosten  thilke  regioun. 

Nature  hath  now  no  dominacioun,  1900 

And  certeynly  ther  nature  wil  not  wirche, 
Farwel  phisik  ;  go  ber  the  man  to  chirche. 
This  al  and  som,  that  Arcyta  moot  dye. 
For  which  he  sendeth  after  Emelye, 

And  Palamon,  that  was  his  cosyn  deere.  190s 

Than  seyde  he  thus,  as  jj/e  schul  after  heere. 

*  Naught  may  the  woful  spirit  in  myn  herte 
Declare  a  poynt  of  alle  my  sorv^es  smerte 
To  yow^  my  lady,  that  I  love  most ; 

But  I  byquethe  the  service  of  my  gost  1910 

To  yaw  aboven  every  creature, 
Syn  that  my  lyf  ne  may  no  longer  dure. 
Alias,  the  woo  !  alias,  the  peynes  stronge. 
That  I  iox  yow  have  suffred,  and  so  longe  ! 


THE  KNIOHTES   TALE.  8 1 

Alias,  the  deth  !  alas,  myn  Emelye  !  1915 

Alias,  departyng  of  our  companye  ! 

Alias,  myn  hertes  queen  !  alias,  my  wyf ! 

Myn  hertes  lady,  endere  of  my  lyf ! 

/What  is  this  world?  what  asken  men  to  have?    ! 

/  Now  with  his  love,  now  in  his  colde  grave  j  1920 

Allone  withouten  eny  companye. 

Farwel,  my  swete  foo  !   myn  Emelye  ! 

And  softe  tak  me  in  _youre  armes  tweye,  > 

For  love  of  God,  and  herkneth  what  I  seye. 

I  have  heer  with  my  cosyn  Palamon  1925 

Had  stryf  and  rancour  many  a  day  i-gon, 

For  love  of  j/ow,  and  for  my  jelousie. 

And  Jupiter  so  wis  my  sowle  gye, 

To  speken  of  a  servaunt  proprely, 

With  alle  circumstaunces  trewely,  1930 

That  is  to  seyn,  truthe,  honour,  and  knighthede, 

Wysdom,  humblesse,  estaat,  and  hey  kynrede, 

Fredom,  and  al  that  longeth  to  that  art, 

So  Jupiter  have  of  my  soule  part. 

As  in  this  world  right  now  ne  knowe  I  non  193s 

So  worthy  to  be  loved  as  Palamon, 

That  serveth  jKou,  and  wol  don  al  his  lyf. 

And  if  that  evere  ye  schul  ben  a  wyf, 

Forj/et  not  Palamon,  the  gen  til  man.* 

And  with  that  word  his  speche  faile  gan  ;  1940 

For  fro  his  feete  up  to  his  brest  was  come 

The  cold  of  deth,  that  hadde  him  overcome. 

And  yet  moreover  in  his  armes  twoo 

The  vital  strengthe  is  lost,  and  al  agoo. 

Only  the  intellect,  withouten  more,  1945 

That  dwellede  in  his  hcrte  sik  and  sore, 

Gan  faylen,  when  the  herte  felte  deth, 

Dusken  his  eyghen  two,  and  foyleth  breth. 

But  on  his  lady  jit  caste  he  his  ye  ; 

6 


82  TEE  KNIGETES    TALE. 

His  laste  word  was,  '  Mercy,  Emel3-e  ! '  igso 

His  spiryt  chaungede  hous,  and  wente  ther. 

As  I  cam  nevere,  I  can  nat  tellen  wher. 

Therfore  I  stynte,  I  nam  no  dyvynistre  ; 

Of  soules  fynde  I  not  in  this  registre, 

Ne  me  ne  list  thilke  opynyouns  to  telle  1955 

Of  hem,  though  that  thei  writen  wher  they  dwelle. 

Arcyte  is  cold,  ther  Mars  his  soule  gye  ; 

Now  wol  I  speke  forth  of  Emelye. 

Shrighte  Emelye,  and  howleth  Palamon, 
And  Theseus  his  suster  took  anon  1960 

Swownyng,  and  bar  hire  fro  the  corps  away. 
What  helpeth  it  to  taryen  forth  the  day, 
To  tellen  how  sche  weep  bothe  eve  and  morwe? 
For  in  swich  caas  wommen  can  han  such  sorwe, 
Whan  that  here  housbonds  ben  from  hem  ago,  1965 

That  for  the  more  part  they  sorwen  so, 
Or  elles  fiillen  in  such  maladye, 
That  atte  laste  certeynly  they  dye. 
Infynyte  been  the  sorwes  and  the  teeres 
Of  olde  folk,  and  folk  of  tendre  yeeres  ;  1970 

For  him  ther  weepeth  bothe  child  and  man 
In  al  the  toun,  for  detli  of  this  Theban  ; 
So  gret  a  wepyng  was  ther  noon  certayn, 
Whan  Ector  was  i-brought,  al  freissh  i-slayn, 
To  Troye  ;  alias  !  the  pite  that  was  ther,  1975 

Cracchyng  of  cheekes,  rending  eek  of  heer. 
'Why  woldest  thou  be  deed,'  thise  wommen  crye, 
'And  liaddest  gold  ynowgh,  and  Emelye?' 
No  man  ne  mighte  gladen  Theseus, 

Savyng  his  olde  fcider  Egeus,  tcSo 

That  knew  this  worldes  transmutacioun, 
As  he  hadde  seen  it  tornen  up  and  doun, 
<Joye  after  woo,  and  woo  after  gladnesse  : 
And  schewede  hem  ensamples  and  liknesse. 


THE  KNIGIITES   TALE.  83 

/     '  Right  as  ther  deyde  never  man,'  quod  he,  1985 

/  *  That  he  ne  lyvede  in  erthe  in  som  degree, 
1  Right  so  ther  lyvede  nevere  man,'  he  seyde, 
V'  In  al  this  vv^orld,  that  som  tyme  he  ne  deyde. 

This  world  nys  but  a  thurghfare  ful  of  woo", 

And  we  ben  pilgryms,  passyng  to  and  froo  \'  1990 

Deth  is  an  ende  of  every  worldly  sore/ 

And  over  al  this  j'it  seide  he  mochcl  more 

To  this  effect,  ful  wysly  to  enhorte 

The  peple,  that  they  schulde  hem  reconfortc. 

Duk  Theseus,  with  al  his  busy  cure,  1995 

.Cast  now  wher  that  tlie  sepulture 

Of  good  Arcyte  may  best  y-maked  be, 

And  eek  most  honourable  in  his  degre. 

And  atte  laste  he  took  conclusioun. 

That  ther  as  first  Arcite  and  Palamon  2000 

Hadden  for  love  tlie  bataille  hem  bytwene. 

That  in  that  selve  grove,  soote  and  greene, 

Ther  as  he  hadde  his  amorous  desires. 

His  compleynt,  and  for  love  his  hoote  fyres. 

He  wolde  make  a  fyr,  in  v^diich  thoffice  2005 

Of  funeral  he  mighte  al  accomplice  ; 

And  leet  comaunde  anon  to  hakke  and  hewe 

The  okes  olde,  and  leye  hem  on  a  re  we 

In,culpouns  wel  arrayed  for  to  brenne. 

His  officers  with  swifte  feet  they  renne,  2010 

And  ryde  anon  at  his  comaundement. 

And  after  this,  Theseus  hath  i-sent 

After  a  beer,  and  it  al  overspradde 

With  cloth  of  gold,  the  richeste  that  he  hadde. 

And  of  the  same  sute  he  cladde  Arcyte  ;  2015 

Upon  his  hondes  hadde  he  gloves  white  ; 

Eek  on  his  heed  a  croune  of  laurer  grene, 

And  in  his  bond  a  swerd  ful  bright  and  kene. 

He  leyde  him  bare  the  visage  on  the  beere, 


84  THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

Therwlth  he  weep  that  pite  was  to  heere.  2020 

And  for  the  people  schulde  seen  him  alle, 
Whan  it  was  day  he  broughte  hem  to  the  halle, 
That  roreth  of  the  crying  and  the  soun. 

Tho  cam  this  woful  Theban  Pahimoun, 
With  flotery  herd,  and  ruggy  asshy  heeres,  2025 

In  clothes  blake,  y-dropped  al  with  teeres ; 
And,  passyng  other  of  wepyng,  Emelye, 
The  rewfuUeste  of  al  the  companye. 
In  as  moche  as  the  service  schulde  be 
The  more  noble  and  riche  in  his  degre,  2030 

Duk  Theseus  leet  forth  thre  steedes  brynge, 
That  trapped  were  in  steel  al  gliterynge, 
And  covered  with  the  amies  of  dan  Arcyte. 
Upon  thise  steedes,  that  weren  grete  and  white, 
Ther  seeten  folk,  of  which  oon  bar  his  scheeld,  2035 

Another  his  spere  up  in  his  hondes  heeld  ; 
The  thridde  bar  with  him  his  bowe  Turkeys, 
Of  brend  gold  was  the  caas  and  eek  the  herneys ; 
And  riden  forth  a  paas  with  sorweful  chere 
Toward  the  grove,  as  ye  schul  after  heere.  2040 

The  nobleste  of  the  Grekes  that  ther  were 
Upon  here  schuldres  carieden  the  beere, 
With  slake  paas,  and  eyghen  reede  and  wete, 
Thurghout  the  cite,  by  the  maister  streete. 
That  sprad  was  al  with  blak,  and  wonder  bye  2045 

Right  of  the  same  is  al  the  strete  i-wrye. 
Upon  the  right  bond  wente  olde  Egeus, 
And  on  that  other  syde  duk  Theseus, 
With  vessels  in  here  hand  of  gold  wel  fyn, 
Al  ful  of  hon}^,  mylk,  and  blood,  and  wyn  ;  2050 

Eek  Palamon,  with  ful  gret  companye  ; 
And  after  that  com  woful  Emelye, 
With  fyr  in  bond,  as  was  that  time  the  gyse, 
To  do  thoffice  of  funeral  servise. 


TEE   KXIGHTES    TALE.  85 

Hey^-Zi  labour,  and  ful  gret  apparailyng  2055 

Was  at  the  service  and  the  fyr  makyng, 
That  with  his  grene  top  the  heven  raughte, 
And  twenty  fad  me  of  brede  tharmes  straughte  ; 
This  is  to  seyn,  the  boowes  were  so  brode. 
Of  stree  first  ther  was  leyd  ful  many  a  loode.  2060 

But  how  the  fyr  was  maked  up  on  highte, 
And  eek  the  names  how  the  trees  highte, 
As  ook,  fyr,  birch,  asp,  alder,  holm,  popler, 
Wilwe,  elm,  plane,  assch,  box,  chesteyn,  lynde,  laurer, 
Maple,  thorn,  beech,  hasel,  ewe,  wyppyltre,  2065 

How  they  weren  feld,  schal  nou^/^t  be  told  for  me  ; 
Ne  how  the  goddes  ronnen  up  and  doun, 
Disheryt  of  here  habitacioun, 
In  which  they  woneden  in  rest  and  pees, 
Nymphes,  Faunes,  and  Amadrydes  ;  2070 

Ne  how  the  beestes  and  the  briddes  alle 
Fledden  for  feere,  whan  the  woode  was  falle  ; 
Ne  how  the  ground  agast  was  of  the  lighte, 
That  was  nought  wont  to  seen  the  sonne  brighte ; 
Ne  how  the  fyr  was  couched  first  with  stree,  207s 

And  thanne  with  drye  stykkes  cloven  a  three, 
And  thanne  with  grene  woode  and  spicerie, 
And  thanne  with  cloth  of  gold  and  with  perr^'ej 
And  gerlandes  hangyng  with  ful  many  a  flour, 
The  myrre,  thensens  with  al  so  greet  odour ;  20S0 

Ne  how  Arcyte  lay  among  al  this, 
Ne  what  richesse  aboute  his  bodv  is  ; 
Ne  how  that  Emely,  as  was  the  gyse, 
Putte  in  the  fyr  of  funeral  servise  ; 

Ne  how  she  swownede  when  men  made  the  fyr,  2085 

Ne  what  sche  spak,  ne  what  was  hire  desir ; 
Ne  what  jewels  men  in  the  fyr  tho  caste, 
Whan  that  the  fyr  was  gret  and  brente  faste ; 
Ne  how  summe  caste  here  scheeld,  and  summe  here  spere, 


86  THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

And  of  here  vestlmentz,  which  that  they  were,  2090 

And  cuppes  ful  of  wyn,  and  mylk,  and  blood, 

Into  the  fyr,  that  brente  as  it  were  wood  ; 

Ne  how  the  Grekes  with  an  huge  route 

Thre  tymes  ryden  al  the  fyr  aboute 

Upon  the  lefte  bond,  with  an  heih  schoutyng,  209s 

And  thries  with  here  speres  clateryng ; 

And  thries  how  the  ladyes  gonne  crye  ; 

Ne  how  that  hid  was  hom-ward  Emelye  ; 

Ne  how  Arcyte  is  brent  to  aschen  colde  ; 

Ne  how  that  Hche-wake  was  y-holde  atoo 

Al  thilke  night,  ne  how  the  Grekes  pleye 

The  wake-pleyes,  ne  kepe  I  nat  to  seye  ; 

Who  wrastleth  best  naked,  with  oyle  enoynt, 

Ne  who  that  bar  him  best  in  no  disjoynt. 

I  wol  not  tellen  eek  how  that  they  goon  2105 

Horn  til  Athenes  whan  the  pley  is  doon. 

But  schortly  to  the  poynt  than  wol  I  wende. 

And  maken  of  my  longe  tale«an  ende. 

By  processe  and  by  lengthe  of  certeyn  yeres 
Al  stynted  is  the  mornyng  and  the  teeres  2110 

Of  Grekes,  by  oon  general  assent. 
Than  semede  me  ther  was  a  parlement 
At  Athenes,  on  a  certeyn  poynt  and  cas  ; 
Among  the  whiche  poyntes  yspoken  was 
To  ban  with  certeyn  contrees  alliaunce,  ans 

And  ban  fully  of  Thebans  obeissaunce. 
For  which  this  noble  Theseus  anon 
Let  senden  after  gentil  Palamon, 
Unwist  of  him  what  was  the  cause  and  why ; 
But  in  his  blake  clothes  sorwefully  2120 

He  cam  at  his  comaundement  in  bye. 
Tho  sente  Theseus  for  Emelye. 
Whan  they  were  set,  and  husst  was  al  the  place, 
And  Theseus  abyden  hadde  a  space 


THE  KNIGIITES   TALE.  87 

Or  eny  word  cam  fro  his  wysc  brest,  2125 

His  eyeii  sctte  he  ther  as  was  his  lest, 
And  with  a  sad  visage  he  sykede  stille, 
And  after  that  right  thus  he  seide  his  wille. 
'  The  firste  moevere  of  the  cause  above, 
Whan  he  first  made  the  fayre  cheyne  of  love,  2130 

Gret  was  theftect,  and  heigh  was  his  entente  ; 
Wei  wiste  he  why,  and  what  therof  he  mente  ; 
For  with  that  fiiire  cheyne  of  love  he  bond 
The  fyr,  the  eyr,  the  water,  and  the  lond 
In  certeyn  boundes,  that  they  may  not  flee  ;  213s 

That  same  prynce  and  moevere  eek,'  quod  he, 
'Hath  stabled,  in  this  wrecchede  world  adoun, 
Certeyne  dayes  and  duracioun 
To  alle  that  ben  engendred  in  this  place, 
Over  the  whiche  day  they  may  nat  pace,  2140 

Al  mowe  theyjj/it  tho  dayes  wel  abregge  ; 
Ther  needeth  non  auctorite  talle^e  ;   - 
For  it  is  preved  by  experience, 
But  that  me  lust  declare  my  sentence. 
Than  may  men  by  this  ordre  wel  discerne,  2145 

That  thilke  moevere  stable  is  and  eterne. 
Wel  may  men  knowe,  but  it  be  a  fool. 
That  every  part  deryveth  from  his  hool. 
For  nature  hath  nat  take  his  bygynnyng 
Of  no  partye  ne  cantel  of  a  thing,  2150 

But  of  a  thing  that  parfyt  is  and  stable, 
Descendyng  so,  til  it  be  corumpable. 
And  therfore  of  his  wyse  purveaunce 
He  hath  so  wel  biset  his  ordenaunce. 

That  spices  of  thinges  and  progressiouns  aiss 

Schullen  endure  by  successiouns. 
And  nat  eterne  be  withoute  lye  : 
This  maistow  understande  and  sen  at  eye. 

'  Lo  the  00k,  that  hath  so  long  a  norisschynge 


88  THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

Fro  tyme  that  it  gynneth  first  to  springe,  2160 

And  hath  so  long  a  lyf,  as  we  may  see, 
Yet  atte  laste  wasted  is  the  tree. 

'  Considereth  eek,  how  that  the  harde  stoon 
Under  oure  feet,  on  which  we  trede  and  goon, 
2"it  wasteth  it,  as  it  lith  by  the  weye.  2165 

The  brode  ryver  som  tyme  wexeth  dreye. 
The  grete  townes  seen  we  wane  and  wende. 
Then  mayj^e  see  that  al  this  thing  hath  ende. 

'  Of  man  and  womman  sen  we  wel  also. 
That  nedes  in  oon  of  thise  termes  two,  2170 

That  is  to  seyn,  in  youthe  or  elles  age, 
He  moot  ben  deed,  the  kyng  as  schal  a  page  ; 
Som  in  his  bed,  som  ir^the  deepe  see, 
Som  in  the  large  feeld,  as  men  may  se. 
Ther  helpeth  naught,  al  goth  that  ilke  weye.  2175 

Thanne  may  I  seyn  that  al  this  thing  moot  deye. 
What  maketh  this  but  Jupiter  the  kyng? 
The  which  is  prynce  and  cause  of  alle  thing, 
Convertyng  al  unto  his  propre  welle. 

From  which  it  is  dereyved,  soth  to  telle.  2180 

And  here  agayns  no  creature  on  lyve 
Of  no  degre  avayleth  for  to  stryve. 

Than  is  it  wisdom,  as  it  thinketh  me, 
To  maken  vertu  of  necessite 

And  take  it  wel,  that  we  may  nat  eschewe,  2185 

And  namelyche  that  to  us  alle  is  dewe. 
And  who  so  gruccheth  aught,  he  doth  folye. 
And  rebel  is  to  him  that  al  may  gye. 
And  certeynly  a  man  hath  most  honour 
To  deyen  in  his  excellence  and  flour,  2190 

Whan  he  is  siker  of  his  goode  name. 
Than  hath  he  doon  his  freend,  ne  him,  no  schame. 
And  gladder  oughte  his  freend  ben  of  his  deth, 
Whan  with  honour  upj^'olden  is  his  broth, 


THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  89 

Thanne  whan  his  name  appalled  is  for  age  ;  2195 

For  al  forwten  is  his  vasselaCTe. 

Thanne  is  it  best,  as  for  a  vvorthi  fame, 

To  dyen  whan  a  man  is  best  of  name. 

The  contrarye  of  al  this  is  wilfulnesse. 

Why  grucchen  we  ?  why  have  we  hevynesse,  2200 

That  good  Arcyte,  of  chyvalry  the  flour, 

Departed  is,  with  duete  and  honour 

Out  of  this  foule  prisoun  of  this  lyf? 

Why  grucchen  heer  his  cosyn  and  his  wyf 

Of  his  welfare  that  lovede  hem  so  wel  ?  2205 

Can  he  hem  thank  ?  nay,  God  woot,  never  a  del, 

That  bothe  his  soule  and  eek  hemself  ofliende, 

And  yd  they  mowe  here  lustes  nat  amende. 

'  What  may  I  conclude  of  this  longe  serye, 
But  after  wo  I  rede  us  to  be  merye,  2210 

And  thanke  Jupiter  of  al  his  grace  .f* 
And  or  that  we  departe  fro  this  place, 
I  rede  that  we  make,  of  sorvves  two, 
O  parfyt  joye  lastyng  ever  mo  : 

And  loketh  now^  wher  most  sorwe  is  her-inne,  2215 

Ther  wol  we  first  amenden  and  b^^gynne. 

'  Suster,'  quod  he,  '  this  is  my  fulle  assent. 
With  al  thavys  heer  of  my  parlement, 
That  gentil  Palamon,  j^'our  owne  knight, 
That  serveth  jKOw  with  herte,  wille,  and  might,  2220 

And  evere  hath  doon,  syn  that  ve  fyrst  him  knewe, 
Thatjve  schul  of  j^oure  grace  upon  him  rewe. 
And  take  him  for_youre  housbond  and  for  lord: 
Leen  mej^oure  hand,  for  this  is  oure  acord. 
Let  see  now  of  j)/oure  wommanly  pite.  2225 

He  is  a  kynges  brother  sone,  pardee  ; 
And  though  he  were  a  poure  bacheler, 
Syn  he  hath  served  jkou  so  many  a  yeer, 
And  had  for  )'ou  so  gret  adversite, 


go  TEE  KNI0HTE8   TALE. 

It  moste  be  considered,  leeveth  me.  2230 

For  gentil  mercy  aughte  passe  right/ 

Than  seyde  he  thus  to  Palamon  the  knight ; 

'  I  trowe  ther  needeth  Htel  sermonyng 

To  maken^ou  assente  to  this  thing. 

Com  neer,  and  tak  j^oure  lady  by  the  bond.'  2235 

Bitwixe  hem  was  i-maad  anon  the  bond, 

That  highte  matrimoyn  or  mariage, 

By  al  the  counseil  and  the  baronage. 

And  thus  with  alle  blysse  and  melodye 

Hath  Palamon  i-wedded  Emelye.  2240 

And  God,  that  al  this  wyde  world  hath  wrought, 

Sende  him  his  love,  that  hath  it  deere  a-bought. 

For  now  is  Palamon  in  alle  wele, 

Lyvynge  in  blisse,  in  richesse,  and  in  hele, 

And  Emelye  him  loveth  so  tendrely,  2245 

And  he  hire  serveth  al  so  gentilly, 

That  nevere  was  ther  no  word  hem  bitweene 

Of  jelousye,  or  any  other  teene. 

Thus  endeth  Palamon  and  Emelye  ; 

And  God  save  al  this  fayre  companye  !  2250 


NOTES    TO    THE    PROLOGUE. 


ci 


NOTES    TO    THE    PROLOGUE. 


I.  Whan.    A  series  of  adverbs  of  time,  place,  and  manner,  are 
formed  from  the  pronominal  roots ;  e.g.  : 


Personal 

he 

Demonst.  &  Rel. 

the 

Interrog. 

who 

Place 

here 

tliere 

where 

hither. 

thither 

whillier 

hence 

thence 

whence 

Time 

then 

when 

Manner 

the,  thus 

why,  how 

Hcj'ey  tJierey  where,  are  derived  from  the  A.S.  dative  (locative) ; 
thetty  &c.,  from  the  Accusative ;  (hey  hazu,  &c.,  from  the  Instrumen- 
tal. The  adverb  ihe  must  be  distinguished  from  the  pronoun  :  as, 
the  more,  the  better  =  qtio  magis,  eo  melius. 

Whan  that  =  at  what  (time)  that.  That  is  frequently  added 
to  words  originally  interrogative,  to  give  them  a  relative  force, 
e.g.,  xvho  that,  tvhy  that,  tvhere  that,  when  that,  &LC. ;  and  by 
analogy  also  to  other  words,  to  render  them  more  or  less  indefi- 
nite, as  if  that,  though  that,  &c.  "When  the  original  force  of  the 
interrogative  was  lost,  the  that  was  omitted  as  unnecessary. 
This  may  also  be  explained  by  an  ellipsis;  thus,  "when  [it  is] 
that." 

Aprille  =  April  (Lat.  aperire,  to  open),  the  month  in  which 
the  year  opens. 

his.  The  neuter  pronoun  was  originally  hit,  gen.  his.  Its 
is  of  comparatively  recent  origin,  not  being  found  in  the  Bible 
except  by  misprint.  See  Craik's  E.  of  S.,  §  54;  Abbott's  Sh. 
Gram.  §  22S;  Bible  Word-Book,  sub  voc.  //. 

schowres  =  showers.  Sing,  schoxvcr.  The  change  of  the 
pronunciation  of  words  ending  in  re  to  er  is  of  recent  date. 
Geo.  Gascoigne  (1576)  in  his  Notes  of  Instruction  concerning 
the  Making  of  Verse  says:  (12)  "This  poeticall  license  is  a 
shrewde  fellow,  and  couereth  many  faults  in  a  verse;  it  maketh 


94  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

words  longer,  shorter,  &c.,  .  .  it  turkeneth  (disturbs)  all  things 
at  pleasure,  for  example  ....  pozver  for  pozvre"  See  note 
1.  i8. 

Sxvooie  plural  of  sxvot,  sweet.  Final  e  denotes  either  the 
plural  or  the  definite  declension.  This,  although  the  older 
form,  is  here  probably  a  mere  orthographic  variation  for  the 
sake  of  rhyme,  of  which  liberty  there  are  many  instances  in  the 
early  poets :  it  may,  however,  indicate  an  unsettled  pronun- 
ciation;  cf.  1.  5  also,  "me  iveleth  his  swete  swotness."  A.R.,  92. 
"Thes  cos  is  a  swetnesse  and  a  delit  of  heorte  so  unimete  swote 
and  swete."    lb.  102. 

3.  every.     Literally  ever-each  =  ever-like-this.  " 

swick  =  such.  O.E.  swy/c,  of  which  the  Gothic  gives  the  full 
form  swa-leiks^  in  which  swa  is  an  old  form  of  the  relative  pronoun 
preserved  in  so,  whoso. 

The  following  pronominal  roots  are  compounded  with  lie  : 
i  [he)  the  who  swa 

like  (each).        thilke.        whilke  (which).        swilke  (such). 
h'cour.     Accent  on  ultimate,  which  shows  that  the  word  was 
considered  as  foreign. 

4.  which,  O.E.  xvhilk.  Goth,  hwa-letks,  i.e.,  like  what,  of 
what  kind,  (Lat.  qua-lis)  originally  used  only  as  an  interroga- 
tive. 

verttce,  accent  on  ultimate.  Vital  energy.  Literally,  manli- 
ness, (Lat.  vir')  hence  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  man  or 
woman,  that  is,  energy  and  chastity,  bravery  standing  for  all 
good  qualities.     See  note  1.  515. 

5.  breethe.     Final  e  denoting  dative. 

6.  holte,  heethe.     Final  e  denoting  dative. 

7.  croppes.  £"5  plural  termination  ;  usually  syncopated.  From 
A.S.  crop,  the  top,  an  ear  of  corn  :  some,  however,  derive  from 
ge-rip,  what  is  reaped. 

yonge  sojine.  Because  just  entered  upon  his  annual  course 
through  the  signs  of  the  zodiac. 

8.  Ram.  "  There  is  a  difterence,  in  astronomy,  between  the 
sign  Aries  and  the  constellation  Aries.  In  April  the  sun  is, 
theoretically,  in  the  sign  Taurus,  but  visibly  in  the  constellation 
Aries."     M. 

halfe^  adv.  Final  e  denoting  dative,  which  in  A.S.  was 
used  adverbially.  In  half,  halt,  we  have  a  remnant  of  an  old 
word  for  o^ie,  ha. 


/ 


NOTES   TO   THE   PROLOGUE.  95 

Ha-lf=  ha,  one,  leiha^  part;  halt  is  from  the  root  lith  to  go, 
and  thus  =  one-limbed. 

t-ron7ie,  pp.  run.  The  prefix  /  or  y  usually  denotes  the  past 
participle  ;  A.S.  and  Ger.  ge.  It  sometimes,  however,  is  equivalent 
to  the  intensive  prefix  be;  cL  y-roujien,  A.S.  be-urnen.     K  ,  1835. 

9.  maken,  pi.  — The  present  ind.  pi.  ending  in  A.S.  was  ath, 
which  in  some  dialects  changed  to  5  as  in  the  third  sing.  The 
pr.  pi.  ending  was  on.  En  seems  to  be  the  result  of  a  tendency 
towards  uniformity.     So  also  slepe^i  in  the  next  line. 

10.  that,  the  A.S.  relative;  who,  which,  what,  being  always 
interrogative. 

alle  night,  ace.  of  time.  "The  extent  of  time  and  space  is 
put  in  the  accusative  after  verbs."  March,  A.S.  Gr.,  §  295.  We 
still  say  all  night,  all  day,  but,  except  in  such  idiomatic  expres- 
sions, we  prefix  the  article;  as,  all  the  year ;  cf  "  He  continued 
all  night  in  prayer."  Luke  vi.  12.  "  He  was  al  nyght  dwellinge 
in  the  preier  of  God."  lb. ;  Wiclif.  To  denote  time  ivhen  the  A.S. 
used  the  genitive  or  dative,  which  idiom  we  have  still  preserved, 
although  we  have  lost  the  case  termination.  "But  (she)  served 
God  with  fastings  and  prayers  night  and  day."  Luke  ii.  37. 
"Daeges  and  nihtes  theowigende."  A.S.  In  such  expressions 
we  also  denote  the  case  relation  by  a  preposition  ;  as,  by  night. 

Morris  reads,  "  al  the  night."  I  follow  Tyrwhitt  as  being 
more  idiomatic;  cf.  alday.    K.,  522. 

eyhe  =eye.     A.S.  eage ;  ^changing  intoj;  cf  daeg,  day. 

11.  priketh  =  inciteth,  spurreth.  It  sometimes  means  to  ride 
on  horseback;   as, — 

"  A  gentle  knight  was  pricking  on  the  plaine."     F.Q^,  i.  i,  §  i. 

hem  ==  them.  A.S.  him.  We  have  taken  the  A.S.  dative  for 
our  ace.  or  objective  case  of  the  pronouns,  as  the  modern 
French  forms  the  nominative  case  of  nouns  from  the  Latin  ac- 
cusative. The  form  thefn  has  been  assumed  from  the  plural  of 
the  demonstrative  se,  seo,  thact.  Hem  is  still  in  colloquial  use; 
as,  "Give  'em  to  me."  This  affords  a  good  illustration  of  the 
growth  of  language;  the  plural  of  the  personal  pronouns  has 
disappeared,  while  its  place  has  been  filled  by  the  plural  of  the 
definite  article,  for  which  we  had  no  further  use. 

nature,  accented  on  the  ultimate. 

here  =  their,  of  them.  A.S.  heora,  gen.  pi.  =  of  them.  See 
remarks  on  hem.  Cf.  "here  a\ler  cappe,"  p.  586=  the  caps  of 
them  all. 


96  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

c  or  age  s  f  h.Q?ir\.s.  We  use  heart  in  this  sense;  as,  "to  take 
heart." 

12.  Ty/a;/?;^  =  then.  See  note  1.  i.  7^/^^;/ and /i^^-^z  were  origi- 
nally the  same  word,  and  in  E.E.  there  is  great  confusion  in  their 
orthography;  then  being  usually  written  ihaji,  and  than,  the?!. 
"The  Cambric  (is)  sooner  stayned  then  the  course  canvas." 
"  When  parents  have  more  care  how  to  leave  their  children 
wealthy />^e«  wise,  and  are  more  desirous  to  have  them  mainteine 
the  name  then  the  nature  of  a  gentleman."  Euphues,  Arber's 
ed.  p.  34. 

To  gon=  to  go,  infinitive.  The  A.S.  inf.  ending  was  an, 
which  changed  to  en;  then  dropped  the  ?/,  and  finally  the  e, 
which  brings  us  to  the  present  form. 

13.  ^palmers,  strictly  persons  who  had  made  a  pilgrimage  to 
the  Holy  Land,  and  brought  back  a  palm  branch  as  a  token  : 
here  used  as  synonymous  with  pilg-rijn.  A  palmer  was  one  who 
made  a  business  of  visiting  shrines,  while  a  pilgrim  was  one  who 
made  such  a  journey  in  pursuance  of  a  vow,  and  then  returned 
to  his  usual  avocation. 

for  to  seeken.  The  A.S.  verb,  besides  the  common  infinitive, 
had  another  substantive  fonrj  of  the  verb,  answering  to  the 
dative  case  of  the  infinitive,  which  is  called  the  gerund,  and 
which  was  always  preceded  by  to,  while  the  infinitive  wanted 
this  prefix.  This  gerund  denoted  the  action  rather  than  the  act. 
Having  lost  the  power  of  distinguishing  cases  by  terminations, 
the  construction  was  indicated  by  prepositions,  as  in  the  case 
of  nouns;  the  infinitive  taking  the  prefix /<?,  and  the  dative  or 
gerundial  infinitive  prefixing  for  to  the  regular  infinitive.  To 
seeken  inust  be  construed  as  a  verbal  in  the  dative  aittrfor.  We 
find  the  gerundial  construction  in  E.E.  without  for,  thus  adopt- 
ing the  A.S.  construction.  "  Art  thou  he  that  art  to  cummynge." 
Matt.  xi.  3;  Wiclif.  "  Eart  thu  the  to  cumenne  eart."  A.S. 
But  the  gerund  without  for,  generally  in  E.E.,  and  always  in 
modern  English,  appears  in  the  form  of  the  present  participle; 
e.  g.,  "  Nyle  ye  gesse  that  I  am  to  accusinge  you."  Jno.  v.  45; 
Wiclif.  "  Seeing  is  believing."  This  gerundial  in  modern  Eng- 
lish is  inflected  in  all  the  cases,  with  the  prepositions  for,  to, 
or  a,  e.  g.,  "He  has  a  strong  passion  for  painting;  "  "  I  go  a- 
fishing."  Sometimes  the  gerundial  has  the  form  of  the  infinitive, 
from  which  it  must  then  be  carefully  distinguished.  "  And  fools 
who  came  to  scoff  remained  to  pray."     The  following  observa- 


NOTES   TO   THE  PnOLOGUE.  97 

tions  may  aid  in  distinguishing  gerundial  forms  from  infinitives, 
and  from  nouns  and  participles  in  I'ng- :  (a)  An  iJifitiitive  is 
always  either  the  subject  or  object  of  a  verb  ;  as,  "  To  err  is 
human;"  ''He  told  me  to  go."  Gerundial  forms  are  found, 
however,  after  intransitive  and  passive  verbs.  "Why  run  to 
meet  what  you  would  most  avoid?"  "Slain  to  make  a  Roman 
holiday."  (b)  Gerundial  forms  are  often  connected  with  adjec- 
tives or  nouns,  apparently  being  governed  by  them;  as,  "Apt 
to  teach  ;  "  "  A  time  to  build  ;  "  "  A  house  to  let."  (c)  If  ending 
in  ing-i  gerundials  may  be  governed  by  a  preposition,  and  also 
govern  a  case ;  as,  "He  spent  a  fortune  in  educating  his  son." 
The  primary  object  of  the  gerundial  form  is  to  express  purpose, 
fitness,  &c.,  —  to  consider  the  act  done  rather  than  the  doing  it. 
The  distinction  between  these  two  meanings  of  the  modern  Eng- 
lish infinitive  is  important,  because  different  A.S.  forms  are  rep- 
resented, and  because  they  correspond  to  different  constructions 
in  the  classic  languages.     Partly  from  Angvis's  Handbook,  p.  205. 

14.  to  feme  kalwes.  Construe  with  longe7i  to  goii.  Read  : 
*'Then  people  long  to  go  on  pilgrimages  to  distant  shrines." 

15.  schires,  gen.  oi  scJiire. 

e;?^e  =  extremity.  "His  going  forth  is  from  the  end  of  the 
heaven,  and  his  circuit  unto  the  ends  of  it."     Ps.  xix.  6. 

16.  Engclo7td;  i.e.,  land  of  the  Angles,  —  England. 
Canturbicry,  three  syllables. 

Tvend  =  go.  Went,  the  assumed  pret.  of  go,  is  the  pret.  of 
wend.  The  original  pret  of  go  was  eode  or yode,  which  indicates 
the  root  z'o,  from  which  go  has  been  derived  by  strengthening  / 
into  J  and  then  into^.  We  still  use  the  expression  "Wending 
one's  way." 

17.  /loly.  A.S.  halig,  hal,  hale;  tg,  adj.  termination.  It  is 
curious  to  notice  that  the  words  in  A.S.  denoting  virtues  and 
vices  are  the  same  as  those  which  denote  bodily  graces  or  de- 
fects ;  as,  kalig,  holy,  from  hale,  whole,  sound ;  wrong  from 
ivrtjigafi,  to  twist;  wicked  from  tvtcan,  to  yield  :  A  holy  man  is 
a  healthy  man  ;  a  wicked  man  is  a  weak  man  ;  a  wrong  action 
is  an  action  wrung  or  twisted  out  of  proper  shape. 

viartir,  Thomas  a  Becket. 
fay  to  seeke  =  iov  to  seeken.     See  1.  13  and  note. 

18.  7"//a/=:who.  The  A.S.  relative  was  t/iat,  who  being  al- 
ways interrogative. 

holpen  p.p.  of  helpen. 

7 


98 


NOTES   TO   THE   PROLOGUE. 


tvJian  that.  See  note  1.  i.  Such  expressions  reveal  the  pro- 
nominal force  of  the  adverb,  that  referring  to  when  considered  as 
a  pronoun.  As  the  interrogative  force  oi  who  and  its  derivatives 
was  lost,  the  relative  word  was  dropped. 

seeke  =  sick,  ill.  This  use  of  the  word  is  now  called  an  Ameri- 
canism, the  English  having  restricted  its  use  to  nausea.  The 
orthography  is  varied  for  the  sake  of  the  rhyme.  "It  is  some- 
what more  tolerable  to  help  the  rime  by  false  orthographic  then 
to  leaue  an  vnpleasant  dissonance  to  the  eare  by  keeping  trewe 
orthographic  and  loosing  the  rime  ;  as,  for  example,  it  is  better  to 
rime  Dore  with  Restore^  then  in  his  truer  orthographic  which  is 
Doore ;  and  to  this  word  Desire  to  say  Fier,  then  fyre,  though 
it  be  otherwise  better  written  Jire.'''  Puttenham's  Arte  of  Poesie, 
ii.  8. 

19.  Byfcl.     Construe  w'ith  was  come,  1.  23. 

that,  dem.  pron.  Whenever  in  a  sentence  a  leading  element 
is  replaced  by  a  sentence  which,  for  emphasis  or  grace,  is  thrown 
out  of  its  natural  position,  or  when  placed  at  such  a  distance 
from  the  leading  verb  as  otherwise  to. form  a  blind  construction, 
the  demonstrative  pronoun  that  is  used  to  call  attention  to  the 
element  already  or  hereafter  to  be  introduced  :  e.g.,  "  To  be  or 
not  to  be,  that  is  the  question;  "  "  We  hear  it  not  seldom  said 
that  ignorance  is  the  mother  of  admiration  "  =  We  not  seldom 
hear  ignorance  is,  &c.,  said.  "  We  cannot  place  a  verb  or  a 
sentence  in  the  accusative  relation  without  prefixing  to  it  a  con- 
junction; i.e.,  a  pronoun  which  is  the  bearer  of  the  case  relatioL 
in  which  the  sentence  appears."  Bopp,  Comp.  Gr.,  1414.  Some 
grammarians  call  that,  when  so  used,  the  "  sentence  article," 
which  is  perhaps  its  best  and  most  expressive  designation.  The 
demonstrative  fc^xe  of  the  word  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  when 
the  exact  words  of  another  are  quoted,  that  is  omitted,  as  :  "  He 
said  *  I  will  come  ' "  =  He  said  that  he  would  come.  We  use  the 
definite  article  similarly  before  nouns  in  the  predicate;  as,  "  He 
spoke  the  truth."  When  the  language  was  inflected,  pronouns 
being  the  most  highly  inflected  of  the  parts  of  speech,  the 
demonstrative  would  by  its  terminations  indicate  most  clearly 
the  construction.  Thus,  in  Greek,  the  infinitive  or  a  sentence 
maj^  be  construed  as  a  substantive  ;  the  construction  in  such  cases 
being  always  shown  hy  the  inflection  of  the  neuter  article  pre- 
fixed, which  exactly  corresponds  to  the  case  under  consideration. 
In  the  case  now  before  us,  that  calls  the  attention  to  the  fact  that 


NOTES   TO   TUE  PROLOGUE.  99 

the  sub3ect  of  by/el  has  not  been  introduced  ;  it  therefore  qualifies 
"Wei  njne  and  twenty,  &c.,  was  come." 

T/iai  in  such  cases  is  also  sometimes  explained  as  having  a 
relatival  force,  but  it  is  better  considered  as  a  substantival  sign. 
See  also  note,  1.  43. 

20.  Tabard.  "A  jaquet  or  slevelesse  coat  worne  in  times 
past  by  noblemen  in  the  warres,  but  now  only  by  heraults  [her- 
alds], and  is  called  theyre  '  coate  of  armes  in  servise.'  It  is  the 
signe  of  an  inne  in  Southwarke  by  London,  within  the  which 
•was  the  lodging  of  the  Abbot  of  Hyde  by  Winchester.  This  is 
the  hostelrie  where  Chaucer  and  the  other  pilgrims  mett  together, 
and,  with  Henry  Baily,  their  hoste,  accorded  about  the  manner 
of  their  journey  to  Canterbury."     Speght. 

23.  was  come.  An  intransitive  pluperfect  form.  Intransitives 
in  A.S.  formed  the  perfect  and  pluperfect  with  the  auxiliary  to  be, 
as  ic  eom,  waes  cumen ;  ic  si,  waere  cumen. 

hostelrie.,  a  lodging,  an  inn,  usually  abbreviated  into  hotel. 
"  Hostler  properly  signifies  the  keeper  of  an  inn,  and  not,  as 
now,  the  servant  who  looks  after  the  horses."  M.  We  still  call 
the  keeper  of  an  inn  "  mine  host." 

24.  Wei  =  full,  adv. 

tji  a  company.  We  would  now  omit  the  article,  which  here 
has  the  force  of  one;  in  one  company,  i.e  ,  together. 

25.  Of  sojidry  folk  =  of  various  kinds,  different  classes  of 
people;  gen.  after  numerals. 

folk.,  coll.  noun  =  people.     This  word  has  no  plural  form. 

by  aventure  ifillc  =  by  chance  fallen  into  fellowship  or  com- 
pany. 

ave7iture  =  ad-venture.  By  aventure  =  Fr.  peradventure. 
We  find  at  a  vefiture=  at  aventure,  and  adventure.  "A  certain 
man  drew  a  bow  at  a  venture."     i  Kg.  xxii.  34. 

26.  y£7/«if5c^^^^,  fellowship.  From y^/rttf,  a  companion.  The 
suffix  s/i/_p  (from  A.S.  scaj)an,  to  make)  denotes  state,  office; 
cf.  landscape. 

t/iei.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that  Chaucer  always  uses  the 
personal  forms  here,  hem  for  the  oblique  cases,  but  the  demon- 
strative form  thei  for  the  nominative  plural  of  the  personal 
pronouns. 

Alle,  dissyllable.     Final  e  denotes  the  plural. 

27.  xvolden,  pr.  pi.  of  ivill. 

ryde  =  riden,  inf. ;    final  e  sounded.* 


lOO  NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE. 

chainhres  —  stables,  private  and  public  rooms.  (?^    Stable  lit- 
erally means  a  standi?ig  place,  but   in   this  connection  perhaps 
alludes  to  the  public  rooms  of  the   inn  (the  standing  places),  as 
compared  with  the  private  rooms  or  chambers  (sleeping  places). 
"  And  he  .  .  .  ledde  into  a  stable  and  dide  the  cure  of  hym." 

Luke  X.  34.    Wiclif. 
"Ther  was  not  place  to  hym  in  the  comyn  stable." 

Luke  ii.  7.    lb. 

29.  tvel — esed :  a  translation  of  the  French  bien  at'ses.  Easy 
retains  this  force  in  such  expressions  as  "A  man  in  e«5y circum- 
stances." 

atte  =  '!i\.  the,  O.E.  at  than,  atten,  A.S.  at  thain.  Atte  is  usu- 
ally followed  by  the  dative  as  in  E.E.,  and  when  followed  by  a 
feminine  noun  the  corresponding  form  is  atter. 

beste,  adjective  in  dative,  used  adverbially  with  ellipsis  of 
noun. 

30.  schorily=^'\n  a  little  while. 

to  reste  =  at  rest;  i.e.,  had  set.  To  and  at  are  different  forms 
of  the  same  word;  cf.  Lat.  ad. 

31.  So  correlates  with  that  in  next  line. 

Everychon  =  every  one.  The  y  in  every  represents  the  word 
eacli,  and  thus  gives  to  the  word  its  distributive  force. 

32.  Jiere  =  their,  gen.  pL,  used  adjectively. 

anon  =  in  one  (moment),    afi  =  in.    Gower  writes  "  in  one." 
"And  loke  upon  her  ever  in  one."     Con.  Am.,  iii.  28. 
"  But  ever  in  one  min  eye  longeth."     lb.,  29. 

33.  made,  dissyllable ;  contracted  from  maked. 

34.  tker  as  I  yaw  devyse=  to  that  place  that  I  speak  to  you  of. 
Ther  ^5  =  where.  When  followed  hy  as,  ther  seems  to  retain  its 
pronominal  force,  while  as  serves  as  its  correlative  pronoun. 
When  the  pronominal  force  was  wholly  lost,  as  was  dropped. 

Where  was  originally  used  only  as  an  interrogative. 

devyse  =  to  speak  of.  We  still  use  advise  in  the  same  sense ; 
as,  "  He  was  advised  of  the  fact." 

35.  natheles  =  none-the-less,  nevertheless;  cf.  Lat.  quominus. 
tvhiles  =  whilst.     The  OE.  hivile  is  still  in  good   colloquial 

use,  the  comparatively  modern  form  zvhtlst  being  generally  pre- 
ferred in  written  discourse. 

36.  Or  thai  =  before  that,  ere  that.     Or  =  A.S.  aer,  ere. 
"  Clear  was  the  day  as  I  have  told  or  this."     K.,  825. 
"  Or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth."     Ps.  xc.  2. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  lOl 

37.  Met/ii7iketh  =  it  seems  (proper)  to  me.  Me  is  dative  after 
the  so-called  impersonal  construction.  In  A.S.  this  verb  had 
two  forms,  —  an  Kctxvtt,  i/icficau,  to  think,  and  an  intransitive, 
thincan,  to  seem.  We  have  confused  the  two  verbs  in  modern 
English  by  spelling  both  alike;  whilst  in  the  case  oi set^  sit ;  lay, 
lie,  we  have  retained  the  distinction  in  the  spelling  as  well  as 
in  the  sense.  "And  the  watchman  said,  Me  thinketh  the  run- 
ning of  the  foremost,"  etc.  2  Sam.  xviii.  27.  We  still  use  me- 
thinks,  but  without  any  conception  of  its  true  construction.  The 
grammatical  subject  of  thinketh  is  the  inf.  to  telle,  which  is  here 
anticipated  by  it,  according  to  our  common  idiom ;  it,  therefore, 
refers  to  to  telle  as  its  antecedent. 

In  illustration  of  this  construction  compare  the  expression 
"If  you  please,"  \\\\q.xq you  is  dative,  and  please  a  subjunctive  by 
inflection. 

acc<7;'(f«»//^=accordingto,  with  the  French  participial  ending. 

resouji,  accented  on  the  ultimate. 

38.  To  telle  =  to  teWen.    Final  e  sounded. 

yozv,  dative  after  to  telle.  \    '  i*  n  \  '     '  •^'>  V' 


coii-di-ci-oiin. 


t  i 


»  3 


i      3 


30.  hem  =  them.  /    "■     ^  >  '  ■  ■ . '    « ^„  = 

SO  as:  so  limits  to  telle;  as  (also)  is 'a,  cop  jpnJc^ibn 
it  semede  me  =  \t  seemed  to  me.     Me,  dative. 

40.  which  (A.S.  hivy-lic,  like  what)  here  means  -vhat  sort  of 
persons,  noting  an  indirect  question. 

de£'re  =  degree,  station  in  life.  This  word  originally  denoted 
the  steps,  or  seats  in  an  amphitheatre  arranged  in  the  form  of 
steps,  and  came,  as  here,  to  denote  rank,  from  the  custom  of  as- 
signing certain  seats  to  the  different  classes  of  society;  ci.  de- 
grade =\.o  seat  one  lower;  cf.  also  K.,  11.  576,  1032. 

41.  %vhat  array  that.  The  relative  that  is  added  because  of  the 
interrogative  force  of  %vhat:  it  is  also  added  to  all  cases  of  ivho, 
zvhich,  -what,  to  form  the  relative.  The  full  construction  would 
be,  "  In  what  array  it  was  that  they  were  in." 

Inne,  adv.     In  O.E.  the  prep,  is  in,  the  adv.  itine. 

42.  knight.  "It  was  a  common  thing  in  this  age  for  knights 
to  seek  emploj'ment  in  foreign  countries  which  were  at  war."    M. 

thati  =  then. 

^y^/««^  =  begin  ;  inf.  e  final  is  sounded  as  sign  of  the  inf. 
By  has  been  corrupted  into  be  in  several  words;  e.g.,  because  for 
bycause. 


I02  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

43.  t/icr,  indefinite  pronoun,  and  like  it  used  to  anticipate 
or  designate  the  subject,  which  is  usually  introduced  subse- 
quently :  the  expression  here  is  equivalent  to,  "  Ther  was  a 
knight,"  but  poetic  license  has  restored  the  order,  although  the 
word  which  denotes  the  inversion  in  prose  is  still  retained.  Ther 
acts  like  a  demonstrative,  calling  attention  to  the  subject,  if  already 
introduced,  or  anticipating  it  if  placed  after  the  verb  ;  and  its  use 
is  best  explained  by  that  (see  note,  1.  19)  when  used  to  call  atten- 
tion to  a  leading  element,  either  by  way  of  emphasis,  or  for  the 
sake  of  clearness.  That  there  in  such  cases  is  a  pronoun,  and 
not  an  adverb  or  an  expletive  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  may  be 
seen  by  a  comparison  of  the  two  words  thus  used,  viz.,  it  and 
there,  as  the  same  reasoning  will  apply  to  both;  cf.  "  Thaer 
weard  geworden  micel  eorthbifung."  A.S.  "^5geschah  ein 
grosses  erdheben."  Ger.  Matt,  xxviii.  2.  Cf.  also,  "These  are 
times  that  try  men's  souls,"  and,  "There  ai-e  times  that  try  men's 
souls."  The  first  expression  =  "  These  times  try  men's  souls;" 
the  second  =  "  Certain  times  try  men's  souls."  The  first  is  a 
definitti  stat^mei't; -vhe  'second  is  indefinite:  the  difference  is, 
of  course,  due  tc  bhe  s'u'bject,  which  in  one  case  is  a  definite  de- 
rconstrat^ve,  and-  in  the  other  an  indefinite  demonstrative. 

'•iind'i/^(^t'^=2ind  th'at- t>rie'(he).  The  demonstrative  is  used  to 
emphasize  the  word  to  which  it  refers.  Cf.  Gr.  kol  tovto,  Eph. 
ii.  8.  "We  still  use  '  and  that'  to  give  emphasis,  and  call  atten- 
tion to  an  additional  circumstance;  e.g.,  'He  was  condemned, 
afzd  that  unheard. '  "    Abbott,  Sh.  Gr.,  §  70. 

44.  that=\\\\o\  to  be  construed  with  he  in  next  line.  We 
also  find  that  his  =  vfh.osQ.  K.,  1852.  That  ///;«  =  whom  ;  ruho 
being  used  interrogatively,  and  that  being  a  general  relative  was 
rendered  definite  by  the  addition  of  the  personal  pronoun,  which 
could  not  be  used  relatively  without  some  relative  word.  We 
have  obviated  the  difficulty  by  using  %vho  as  a  personal  relative, 
retaining  the  indefinite  relative  that. 

45.  c>^)'r'(7/;'ve  =  the  profession  of  a  knight.  Y.  chevalier.  The 
Lat.  caballiis  has  passed  into  English  as  cob,  with  a  singular 
change  in  meaning,  not  denoting  a  spirited  horse,  but  the  re- 
verse. 

46.  honoiir,  frcdom,  accented  on  the  ultimate. 
curtesie  =  courtly  manners. 

"I  take  thy  word. 
And  trust  thy  honest  offered  courtesy, 


NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE.  103 

Which  oft  is  sooner  found  in  lowly  sheds 
With  smoky  rafters,  than  in  tapestry  halls 
And  courts  of  princes,  where  it  first  was  named 
And  yet  is  most  pretended." 

Comus,  322. 

47.  lordes.,  ^Qn.  of  lord,  —  lord's,  —  the  apostrophe  marking 
the  elision  of  the  vowel. 

48.  hadde,  pronounced  kad. 
rideti,  p.p.  =  ridden. 

ferre,  comp.  of  far.  Thus,  also,  ^f?r;'<?  =  dearer ;  ner  = 
nearer ;  sarre  =  sorer ;   ivarre  =  worse. 

49.  Christendom  —  hethenesse  =^\x\  Q,\\r\?,\\^x\  lands  —  heathen 
countries.  Ilcthcnesse  is  from  the  root  heath  =  the  open  country. 
The  same  low  idea  of  the  morals  of  country  people  is  seen  in  the 
word  villain ^^\v\c\\  means  xnllagcr ;  that  is,  the  person  attached 
to  the  villa  or  farm  as  opposed  to  citizen. 

As  in.,  to  be  read  '5  in. 

50.  honoured.,  supply  he  was. 

Scan  :   And  ev  |  ere  hon  |  oured  for  [  his  worth  |  inesse. 

51.  Alisandre.  "Alexandria  was  won  (and  immediately  after 
abandoned)  in  1365,  by  Pierre  de  Lusignan,  King  of  Cyprus. 
Walsingham  says  :  '  Interfuerunt  autem  huic  captione  cum  rege 
Cyprice  plures  Anglici.' "     T. 

52.  Fill  ofte  tyme  =  {\\\\  many  a  time,  —  very  many  times. 
He  hadde  the  bord  byg-ofine.     "  He  had  been  placed   at  the 

head  of  the  table,  the  usual  compliment  to  extraordinary  merit." 
T.  Mr.  Marsh  suggests  (which  suggestion  is  adopted  by  Mor- 
ris) that  bord'is  the  Low  Ger.  boort,  joust,  tournament.  Wright's 
Diet.  Ob.  and  Prov.  Eng.  gives  "  Bordes  (A.  N.  behordeis) 
tournaments  ;  "  but  the  following  extract  from  Gower's  Confessio 
Amantis,  iii.  29S,  would  seem  to  be  conclusive  in  favor  of 
Tyrwhitt's  explanation:  — 

"The  floure  of  all  the  town  was  there 

And  of  the  court  also  there  wQre, 

And  that  was  in  a  large  place 

Right  even  before  the  Kinges  face, 

Whiche  Artestrates  thanne  hight. 

The  pley  was  pleied  right  in  his  sight. 

And  who  most  worthy  was  of  dede 

Receive  he  shnlde  a  certain  mcdc, 

And  in  the  citee  here  a  price  \^^rize']. 


I04  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

Appollinus,  which  ware  and  wise, 
Of  every  game  couth  an  ende  [a^«r/], 
He  thought  assay,  howso  it  wende, 
And  fell  among  hem  into  game, 
And  there  he  wanne  him  such  a  name 
So  as  the  king  himself  accompteth 
That  he  all  other  men  surmounteth. 
And  bare  the  prise  above  hem  alle. 
The  king  bad  that  into  his  halle 
At  souper  time  he  shall  be  brought. 

•  ••••• 

At  souper  time  netheles 

The  king  amiddes  all  the  pres 

Let  clepe  him  up  amonge  hem  alle 

And  bad  his  mareshall  of  his  halle 

To  setten  him  /;/  s?ick  degre 

That  he  upon  him  might e  se. 
The  king  was  sone  sette  and  served 

And  he  which  had  his  prise  deserved, 

After  the  kinges  owne  worde 

Was  made  beg-in  a  iniddel  horde 

That  bothe  king  and  quene  him  sigh  \jnight  5<?e]." 
53.  Aboven  alle  nacioiins.  He  took  the  precedence  of  the  rep- 
resentatives of  all  other  nations  at  the  Court  of  Prussia.  "  When 
our  English  knights  wanted  employment,  it  was  usual  for  them 
to  go  and  serve  in  Pruce  or  Prussia,  with  the  Knights  of  the 
Teutonic  order,  who  were  in  a  state  of  constant  warfare  with 
their  heathen  neighbors  in  Lettow  (Lithuania),  Ruce  (Russia), 
and  elsewhere."    T. 

Pruce;  i.e.  Borussia^ Lower  Russia. 

55.  Read  :  "  No  Christian  man  of  his  rank  had  reysed  (raided) 
so  often  in  Lithuania  and  in  Russia." 

56.  Ger7iade  =  Granada.     Algezir  was  taken  from  the  Moor- 
ish king  of  Granada  in  1344. 

atte  =  at  the.     See  note,  1.  29. 

be  =  been.     The  final  efi  dropped  as  in  the  infinitives.     The 
A.S.  beon  had  no  past  participle ;  cf.  ydo  =  ydon. 

57.  ridcn  =  ridden.     Pronounced  rid'n. 

'■'-  Bclmarie    and     Tremassene    were    Moorish    kingdoms    in 
Africa."     M. 

58.  Lieys  in  Armenia  was  taken  from  the  Turks  by  Pierre  de 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  105 

Lusignan  about  1367,  and    Satalie   (Attalia)  bj  the  same  prince 
soon  after. 

59.  Greete  See  =  that  part  of  the  Mediterranean  between  the 
Greek  islands  and  the  coast  of  Syria.  "  Ye  shall  even  have  the 
great  sea  for  a  border."     Numb,  xxxiv.  6. 

60.  arive.  Literally  a  landing,  an  arrival,  but  here  denoting 
a  hostile  landing.  Terms  denoting  travel  in  E.E.  denote  quite 
frequently  warlike  movements  ;  cf.  rider,  Ger.  rittey  =  a  warrior. 

"Fro  thenne  he  goth  toward  Itaile 
By  ship,  and  there  his  arrivaile 
Hath  take,  and  shope  him  for  to  ride  [;'«/(f  J." 

Gower,  ii.  4. 
*' And  forth  he  gotli,  as  nought  ne  were, 
To  Trojs  and  was  the  firste  there. 
Which  londeth  and  toke  arrivaile. 
For  him  was  lever  in  the  bataile, 
He  saith,  to  deien  as  a  knight 
Than  for  to  live  in  all  his  might 
And  be  reproved  of  his  name."     lb.,  66. 
"Tho  saw  I  eke  all  the  arivaile 
That  -<^neas  had  made  in  Itaile."     H.  of  F.,  i.  451. 
Scan  :  At  man  |  y  a  no  |  bl'  arriv  |  e  hadde  |  he  be. 
Tyrwhitt  reads  annee. 

6t.  mortal  battailles ^=^ dedidly  conflicts;  as  distinguished  from 
mere  tournaments  or  listes,  as  in  1.  6^,  which  denotes  single 
combat  or  duel. 

battailles,  battles.  Primary  signification,  the  blows  given  in 
combat;  hence  a  company  of  men  engaged  in  battle.  "Their 
battles  are  at  hand."     Shak.  J.  C,  v.  i.  (i.e.,  battalions). 

62.  foughten,  p.p.,  sc  hadde. 

63.  /y5/^5  =  tournaments ;  single  combats.  So  called  from 
the  line  (Lat.  licium)  enclosing  the  field  of  combat. 

"The  field  with  listes  was  all  about  enclosed, 
To  barre  the  prease  of  people  farre  away." 

Spenser,  F.  Q^,  iv.  3,  §  4. 
Listes  also  denotes  the  enclosed  space  :  — 
"At  last  arriving  by  the  listes  side, 
Shee  with  her  rod  did  softly  smite  the  raile." 

F.  Q^,  iv.  3,  §  46. 
ay  =  alway,  i.e.,  each  time;  not  as  now  denoting  continuous 
duration. 


lo6  NOTES  TO   THE  FEOLOGUE. 

64.  like  =  same;  cf.  "of  that  ilk." 

65.  Some  iyme  =  at  one  time.  Some  is  the  A.S.  indefinite 
pronoun.     Sum  man  =  aliquis,     Tyme  in  the  ace.  of  time. 

/^/-^=  sovereign.  "Lord,  which  in  modern  English  has 
become  synonymous  with  nobleman,  was  in  A.S.  klaford,  which 
is  supposed  bv  some  to  mean,  —  ord,  the  origin  of,  hlaf.  loaf; 
while  others  look  upon  it  as  a  corruption  of  Jilaf-zveard,  the 
warder  of  bread.  It  corresponds  to  the  German  Brot-kerr,  and 
meant  originally  employer,  master,  lord."  Max  IMuIler.  But  this 
etymology  is  doubtful.     See  note  under  1.  601. 

Palatye  in  Anatolia:  one  of  the  lordships  held  by  Christian 
knights  under  the  Turks. 

66.  /icthene,  sc  king,  "The  word  heathen  acquired  its  mean- 
ing from  the  fact  that,  at  the  introduction  of  Christianity  into 
Germany,  the  wild  dwellers  on  the  heaths  [open  country]  longest 
resisted  the  truth."     Trench  on  Words. 

"  Hethen  is  to  inene  after  heeth  and  untiled  erthe." 

Piers  PI. 

67.  sovercy7t  f>/ys  =  a  superior  renown  :  the  highest  praise. 

68.  though  that  =  though.  This  expression  is  perhaps  best 
explained  by  considering  it  as  elliptical,  and  supplying  it  be^  as 
in  the  expression  "  if  so  be  that." 

69.  of  his  port  =^  in  his  deportment;  an  imitation  of  the  A.S. 
gen.  of  part  or  relation.     See  March,  A.S.  Gr.,  §  321. 

mayde  =  a  maiden.  This  word  in  the  A.S.  has  a  variety  of 
meanings;  e.g.,  maid,  daughter,  family,  relation,  tribe,  people, 
country.  From  the  ~oot  magati,  to  be  able,  whence  also  the  form 
maeg;  in  the  masculine,  denoting  son,  relation,  neighbor.  The 
literal  meaning  would  therefore  be  "the  strength  of  a  family," 
a  designation  peculiarly  applicable  to  children  when  each  family 
composed  a  clan,  which  would  be  strengthened  as  well  bv  the 
matrimonial  alliances  of  the  daughters,  as  by  the  number  of  the 
sons. 

70.  no  —  72e.  In  E.E.  as  in  French,  the  noun  and  the  verb 
were  each  negatived,  the  two  negations  not  making  an  afiirma- 
tive.     We  have  here  three  negatives,  never  —  no  —  7ie. 

t'/7f>«j'e  =  conduct  unbecoming  a  gentleman.  "The  word 
villain  is,  first,  the  serf  or  peasant ;  villanus,  because  attached  to 
the  villa  or  farm.  He  is,  secondly,  the  peasant,  who,  it  is  fur- 
ther taken  for  granted,  will  be  churlish,  selfish,  dishonest,  and 
generally  of  evil  moral  conditions ;   those  having  come  to  be 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  107 

assumed  as  always  belonging  to  him,  and  to  be  permanently 
associated  with  his  name,  by  those  higher  classes  of  society  who, 
in  the  main,  commanded  the  springs  of  language.  At  the  third 
step,  nothing  of  the  meaning  which  the  et\inology  suggests, 
nothing  of  the  villa  survives  any  longer;  the  peasant  is  wholly 
dismissed,  and  the  evil  moral  conditions  of  him  who  is  called  by 
this  name  alone  remain;  so  that  the  name  would  now,  in  this  its 
final  stage,  be  applied  as  freely  to  peer,  if  he  deserved  it,  as  to 
peasant."     Trench,  Eng.  Past  and  Pres  ,  262. 

The  villain  or  villein  in  England  was  a  feudal  tenant  of  the 
lowest  class,  and  hence  the  transfer  of  meaning  in  the  word  had 
probably  a  better  foundation  than  aristocratic  pride. 

71.  mancr  w/'^/i^/ =  manner  of  wight;  sort  of  person.  In 
E.E.  <?/"  is  omitted  after  matnicr.  "And  all  manner  vessels  of 
ivory,  and  all  manner  vessels  of  most  precious  wood."  Rev. 
xviii.  12. 

"  So  in  swiche  maner  rime  is  Dantes  tale."     C.  T.,  6709. 

72.  verray^^\.r\xQ..  In  E.E.  used  as  an  adjective.  "Art  thou 
my  very  son  Esau.'"'  Gen.  xxvii.  25.  *'  Very  God  of  very  God." 
Creed. 

^f?^//7=  noble ;  with  the  manners  of  the  higher  orders  of 
society  ;  well-bred.  This  word  comes  from  the  Latin  gens^  which 
signified  a  clan,  and  was  used  particularly  to  designate  those 
patrician  families  who  had  descended  from  the  senators  selected 
by  Romulus  and  Tarquin.  Gentile  is  the  same  word,  meaning 
the  clans  or  tribes;  hence  all  clans  but  ours.  Cf.  genteel, 
gentlonan. 

73.  But  —  i.e.,  "I  will  omit  further  encomium." 
yow,  dative,  indirect  object  of  telle. 

array  =  outfit.  "  Whos  schulen  tho  thingis  be  that  thou 
hast  arayed."     Luke  xii.  20;  Wiclif. 

74.  ne  —  ?iongJit,  the  usual  double  negative. 

nought  ^=  in  no  respect  (from  A.S.  na — ivikf).  We  use  the 
full  form  as  a  noun,  and  the  contracted  form  as  the  adverb; 
of.  naught,  nought^  ?iot. 

gay=\\ye\y,  fast.  Morris  sa^^s  :  "Gay  here  seems  to  signify 
decked  out  in  various  colors,"  but  we  still  speak  of  Q.  gay  horse^ 
meaning  one  full  of  mettle. 

75.  Tverede.,  preterite  of  xvear.  A.S.,  iverian  pr.  werede.  In 
this  case  the  general  tendency  of  the  language  towards  the  sub- 
stitution of  the  weak  for  the  strong  conjugation  has  been  over- 


lo8  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

come  by  the  more  powerful  influence  of  analogy;  so  that  this 
verb,  which  in  A.S.  was  conjugated  according  to  the  weak  form, 
has  in  modern  English  taken  a  strong  preterite. 

76.  w//-^  =  bj;  cf.  Ger.  mil.  With  and  by  are  closely  allied  in 
many  of  their  uses,  the  original  signification  of  either  denoting 
proximity. 

"  He  is  attended  ivHh  a  desperate  train." 

Shak.  Lear,  ii.  4. 
h'^.hergeotm^  a  diminutive  of  hauberk  (A.S.  halsbeorg=^nec'k- 
guard),  but  often  used  as  synonymous  with  it;  a  piece  of  defen- 
sive avraor,  descending  from  the  neck  to  the  middle  :  according 
to  some,  "armor  protecting  the  head  and  shoulders."  The  fol- 
lowing; *ixtract  from  the  Rime  of  Sir  Thopas,  §  24,  25,  describes 
the  arr^or  of  a  knight :  — 

"  He  didde  next  his  white  lere  \_skin'\ 
Of  cloth  of  lake  [^Ihieti]  fine  and  clere 

A  breche  and  eke  a  sherte ; 
And  next  his  shert  an  haketon  \cassoch'\ 
And  over  that  an  habergeon 

For  percing  of  his  herte ; 
And  over  that  a  fine  hauberk^ 
Was  all  ywrought  of  Jewes  werk, 

Ful  strong  it  was  of  plate ; 
And  over  that  his  cote-armoure, 
As  white  as  is  the  lily  floure, 

In  which  he  wold  debate  \_Jighf\.^* 

77.  ycome,  p.p.  come.  The  prefix  i  or  y  denotes  the  past  parti- 
ciple of  verbs.  It  is  still  used  as  an  archaism  in  yclept.  In  A.S. 
it  was  also  prefixed  to  the  preterite  tense. 

vi'age,  a  journey  either  by  sea  or  land.  The  journey  to  Can- 
terbury is  called  a  viage  in  1.  792. 

78.  pilgrimage^  which  he  had  vowed  in  case  of  his  safe  return. 
It  was  usual  to  perform  such  votive  pilgrimages  in  the  dress 
worn  on  the  journey. 

80.  lovyere.  This  is  still  the  vulgar  pronunciation,  but  which 
is  only  an  archaism;  formed  from  A.S.  Infian,  pronounced  loof- 
yan. 

Lusty^  vigorous,  handsome ;  without  the  opprobrious  force 
the  word  has  since  acquired. 

bacheler.  "A  soldier  not  old  or  rich  enough  to  lead  his  re- 
lations into  battle  with  a  banner.     The  original  sense  of  the  word 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  109 

is  It't/Ie,  small,  young,  from  Welsh  back."  Webster.  "  The  func- 
tions of  a  knight  were  complete  when  he  rode  at  the  head  of  his 
retainers  assembled  under  his  banner,  which  was  expressed  by 
the  term  '  lever  banniere.'  So  long  as  he  was  unable  to  take 
this  step,  either  from  insufficient  age  or  poverty,  he  would  be 
considered  only  as  an  apprentice  in  chivalry,  and  was  called  a 
knight  bachelor."    Wedgwood,  2d  ed. 

81.  «5  =  as  if.  The  verb  ivere  leyde  being  in  the  subjunctive, 
rendered  the  conjunction  unnecessary,  so  long  as  the  conditional 
mode  was  indicated  by  inflection.  Having  lost  the  power  of 
indicating  contingency  by  the  form  of  the  verb,  we  now  use  the 
conjunctions  if.,  though.,  &c.  The  construction  without  if  is  fre- 
quent in  Shakspeare.     See  Craik's  E.  of  S.,  p.  279. 

%2.  of  txventy  yeer,  A.S.  gen.  of  time  how  long,  "And  whanne 
Jhesus  was  maad  of  twelve  yeeres."  Luke  ii.  42  ;  Wiclif.  The 
A.S.  more  generally  expressed  this  idea  by  ivititre. 

yeer,  p\.  In  E.E.  neuters  took  no  inflection  in  the  plural; 
thus  hors,  deer,  &c.  ^'Harvest  is  the  primitive  signification  of 
our  English  word  year,  and  its  representative  in  the  cognate 
languages.  I  am  aware  that  this  is  not  the  received  etymology 
of  year,  nor  do  I  propose  it  with  by  any  means  entire  confidence. 
.  .  .  In  Anglo-Saxon  ert^  signifies  an  ear  of  grain  ;  and  by  sup- 
plying the  collective  prefix  ge,  common  to  all  the  Teutonic  lan- 
guages, we  hsLve  gear,  an  appropriate  expression  for  harvest,  and 
at  the  same  time  a  term  which,  as  well  as  winter,  was  employed 
as  the  name  of  the  entire  year.  The  corresponding  words,  in 
the  cognate  languages,  admit  of  a  similar  derivation;  and  this, 
to  me,  seems  a  more  probable  etymology  than  those  by  which 
these  words  are  connected  with  remoter  roots."  Marsh,  Lect. 
on  E.  L.,  p.  245,  note. 

^^55c  =  should  think ;  subj.  The  idea  of  uncertainty  does  not 
attach  to\his  word  in  E.E. 

S3,  evene  lengthe  =  -pyo\)e.Y  height;  i.e.,  neither  too  tall  nor  too 
short,  —  the  usual  height. 

84.  gret^gYe.2it;  definite  form  ^r^/c. 

Of  strengthe^=B.s  regards  strength.  This  use  of  (discom- 
mon in  Shakspeare.  "A  valiant  man  of  his  hands."  Abbott's 
Sh.  Gr.,  §  113.  Cf.  "  Swift  of  foot."  "  A  zeal  of  God."  Rom. 
X.  2.  It  is  the  A.S.  adjunct  genitive  denoting  the  part  or  relation 
in  which  the  quality  is  conceived.     See  ^larch,  A.S.  Gr.,  §  321. 

85.  chevachie,  military  service.     "  It  most  properly  means  an 


no  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

expedition  with  a  small  party  of  cavalry,  but  is  often  used  gen- 
erally for  any  military  expedition.  HoUinshed  calls  it  a  rode 
[i.e.,  a  raid].    T. 

87.  And  dorn  /i/m  ri'el==^hehaved  bravely. 

as  —  so.  As  is  a  contraction  of  also  (A.S.  eal-swa),  the  all 
merely  emphasizing  the  so.  ^5=  in  that  way;  to  that  degree 
that.  Read:  "  And  had  borne  himself  bravely  —  all  in  so  little 
time  —  in  hope  to  stand  in  his  lady's  favor."  Tyrwhitt  reads 
"as  of  so,"  which  would  mean  "  for  one  of  his  years,"  an  easier 
reading,  though  the  other  gives  the  same  general  meaning. 

88.  lady  ^race  =  lady's  grace.  Lady  is  for  Ladye,  gen.  sing. 
(not  pi.  as  Morris's  ed.  reads).  In  E.E.  the  genitive  of  some 
feininine  nouns  ended  in  e ;  other  nouns  ending  in  e  were  some- 
times inflected  in  a  similar  manner.  "  That  biteth  the  horse 
heels."  Gen.  xlix.  17,  w4iere,  however,  horse  may  be  gen.  pi. 
A.S.  Jiorsa. 

89.  Embroided^=Q,rvihxo\dQ.xQ.d.,  —  zV,  i.e.,  his  clothing. 

90.  all  adv.  used  intensivel3\ 

fresshe.  "  The  English  brisk,  frisky,  and  fresh,  all  come  from 
the  same  source.  .  .  .  Fresh  has  passed  through  a  Latin  chan- 
nel, as  may  be  seen  from  the  change  of  its  vowel,  and,  to  a  cer- 
tain extent,  in  its  taking  the  suffix  me7it  in  refreshment,  which  is 
generally,  though  not  entirely,  restricted  to  Latin  words.  Under 
a  thoroughly  foreign  form  it  exists  in  English  as  fresco,  so  called 
because  the  paint  was  applied  to  the  walls  whilst  the  plaster  was 
still  fresh  or  damp."     M.  Muller. 

91.  ^(y/v;/^e  =  playing  on  the  flute. 

"And  many  a  floyte  and  litling  home."     H.  of  F.,  iii.  133. 
al  the  day,  ace.  of  time. 

92.  inoneth  =  month.  "  Moo7i  is  a  very  old  word.  It  was  mona 
in  A.S.  For  month,  we  have  in  A.S.  monath,  in  Gothic  menoth. 
In  Sanskrit  we  find  mas  for  moon,  and  masa  for  month.  Now 
this  mas  in  Sanskrit  is  clearly  derived  from  a  root  ma,  to  meas- 
ure, to  mete.  The  mooti,  therefore,  is  the  measurer,  and  month 
is  the  portion  of  time  measured  by  it."  See  Sci.  of  Lang.,  Miil- 
ler,  ist  Series,  p.  16. 

93.  wv'</<?  =  large.  We  read  in  the  poem  on  the  Deposition  of 
Richard  II.  of  "  Sieves  that  slode  uppon  the  erthe."    p.  22. 

94.  sitie  and  ryde,  infinitives  ior  sitten  and  riden  depending  on 
coxvde. 

on  hors=^ on  horseback.     The  loss  of  inflection  has  rendered 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  Ill 

necessary  a  large  increase  of  definitive  words.     We  would  be 
obliged  to  use  the  article  here. 

y(7/>g  11=  fairly,  well.  Any  adjective  in  A.S.  could  be  used  in 
the  dative  a.s  an  adverb;  having  lost  the  inflection,  we  restrict 
the  adverb  to  the  form  in  ly,  A.S.  lice. 

95.  make,  endite,  juste,  dauiice,  puriraye,  and  -write,  are  infini- 
tives depending  upon  cotvde. 

96.  /wr/raje  =  draw,  sketch.  We  restrict  the  noun  portrait 
to  a  painting  of  a  face  or  person. 

ivriie.  To  be  able  to  write  was  a  rare  accomplishment;  cf. 
clergy  =  clericus  =  clerk. 

97-  w/^-^/^r/a/e  =  night-time.  "A.S.  nihtern-dael.  Lj'd- 
gate  uses  nigktertyjne."  T.  Morris  explains  as  night  tale  =  the 
reckoning  or  time  of  night. 

98.  sleep  =  s,\eY>\..  The  addition  of  t  changes  this  verb  to 
the  weak  conjugation.     It  was  a  useless  addition* 

nygktyngale  =^  mghtingoXQ.  A.S.  nihte,  by  night;  gale,  a 
singer,  from  gala n,  to  sing;  cf.  I^at.  gall/is. 

99.  Curteys.     See  note,  1.  46. 
servysable^  willing  to  render  service. 

100.  carf^^^  carved,  — pr.  of  kerven,  to  carve. 

loi.  Teman.  "Yeman,  or  yeoman,  is  an  abbreviation  of 
yeongeman,  as  yoiithe  is  oi  yeongthe.  Young  men  being  most 
usually  employed  in  service,  servants  have,  in  many  languages, 
been  denominated  from  the  single  circumstance  of  age.  The 
title  of  yeoman  was  given,  in  a  secondary  sense,  to  people  of 
middling  rank,  not  in  service.  The  appropriation  of  the  word 
to  signify  a  small  landholder  is  more  modern,  I  apprehend."  T. 
More  probably,  a  countryman.     Frisic,  gaeman,  a  villager. 

he,  i.e.,  the  knight. 

servantes,  dissyllable,  accented  on  ultimate. 

no  moo  =  no  more.  An  abbreviated  comparative  of  many. 
Afo,  moe.  are  common  in  Shakspeare. 

102.  ki>]i  luste  =  \t  pleased  him.  Hiin  maybe  construed  as 
dative  after  the  impersonal  construction,  or,  perhaps  better,  as 
in  A.S.,  as  ace.  after  impersonal  of  feeling.  '•  Impersonals  of 
appetite  or  passion,  in  A.S.,  govern  an  accusative  of  the  person 
suffering."  March,  §  290.  So  hunger,  thirst,  list,  long,  loath, 
irk,  rue,  dream,  tickle,  smart,  game. 

Ryde,  inf.  subject  of  luste. 

103.  ^^c?^=hat,  Ger.  hut.      Hood  now  denotes    a   covering 


112  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

for  the  head  worn  bj  women.     It  literally  means  a  protection, 
or  covering. 

Grene  was  the  favorite  color  of  hunters.  "  Immediately  he 
clothed  the  chiefest  of  his  men  in  Lincoln  green,  with  black 
hats,  and  white  feathers,  all  alike."  Robin  Hood  in  Thom's 
E.  E.  Prose  Rom.,  p.  iii. 

104.  ;pocok  arives,  arrows  feathered  with  peacock  feathers. 
Aschain  in  his  Toxophilus  (p.  129,  Arber's  ed.)  says:  "And 
trewelye  at  a  short  but,  which  some  man  doth  use,  ye  Pecock 
fether  doth  seldome  kepe  vp  ye  shaft  eyther  rj'ght  or  leuel,"  to 
Avhich  bad  reputation  Chaucer  evidently  alludes  in  1.  107. 

arwe5=^ arrows.  A.S.  arcive,  arive,  froin  ar  (ore),  copper, 
and  therefore  equivalent  in  meaning  to  "  the  weapon,"  —  as  we 
say  "  the  steel  "  for  "  the  sword."  Copper,  being  found  pure  and 
easily  worked,  was  the  earliest  metal  made  use  of  by  man,  and 
in  most  langu2%es  has  given  the  generic  name  for  metal.  Thus 
Hesiod  says  (Op.  149):  "The  ancients  had  copper  implements 
(weapons)  and  copper  houses,  and  they  wrought  (dealt)  in 
copper,  for  they  did  not  have  the  black  iron."  Thus  the  Greek 
term  for  copper,  ;ta/i/c6c,  was  used  by  Homer  for  the  general  term 
weapon  and  also  metal.  So  A.S.  ar,  O.N.  or,  Eng.  ore,  Ger. 
erz,  Lat.  tes  {aer-s),  all  point  to  one  and  the  same  metal,  —  cop- 
per; and  as  the  Greeks  called  the  sword  Xf^^f^^d  and  the  Latins 
designated  weapons  by  aera  ("  Ardentis  clipeos  atque  aera  mi- 
cantia  cerno,"  Virgil,  Aen.  ii.  734),  so  our  ancestors  used  the 
same  word  to  designate  their  chief  weapon.  Wedgwood,  how- 
ever, refers  the  name  "  to  their  ivhirring  through  the  air." 

brighie.     Formerly  applied  to  sounds  as  well  as  to  objects. 

"  Heosong  so  schille  and  so  brihte."  O.  and  N.  1654. 
"  The  phenomena  from  whence  all  representative  words  are  im- 
mediately taken  must,  of  course,  belong  to  the  class  which 
addresses  itself  to  the  ear;  and  we  find  accordingly  that  the 
words  expressing  attributes  of  light  are  commonly  derived  from 
those  of  sound."     Wedgwood. 

105.  thriftily,  carefully,  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  under- 
stood his  business. 

106.  yomanly,  in  a  manner  becoming  a  yeoman. 

107.  'With  fetkeres,  because  of  the  bad  adjustment  of  the 
feathers.  This  use  of  Tvith  is  common  in  Skakspeare.  "With 
(which  like  by  signifies  juxtaposition)  is  often  used  to  express 
the  juxtaposition  of  cause  and  effect."     Shak.  Gr.,  §  193. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  1 13 

loTve,  adv.  modifying  drowpede. 

109.  Not-heed^  a  head  with  close-cut  hair.  T_\rvvhitt's  Glos- 
sary explains  as  "  a  head  like  a  nut." 

111.  bracey,  armor  for  the  ami  to  protect  it  from  the  recoil 
of  the  bow-string.  "A  bracer  serueth  for  two  causes,  one  to 
saue  his  arme  from  the  strype  of  the  strynge,  and  his  doublet 
from  wearynge,  and  the  other  is,  that  the  strynge  glydynge 
sharpelye  and  quicklye  of  the  bracer,  may  make  the  sharper 
shoote."     Toxophilus,  Arber's  ed.,  108. 

112.  bokeler,  a  dissyllable. 

113.  t/tat  other  ^=^  the  other.  The  neuter  of  the  A.S.  demon- 
strative, which  we  have  taken  as  the  definite  article,  was  thact, 
and  in  E.E.  was  often  used  where  we  would  now  use  the  posses- 
sive pronoun.     The  same  usage  prevails  in  Greek. 

daggere.  "  The  syllable  ^a^  or  rt'/^  represents  the  noise  of 
a  blow  with  something  sharp;  then  the  instrument  with  which 
the  blow  is  given,  or  any  thing  of  similar  form."     Wedgwood. 

114.  Harneysed^  equipped;   fitted  with  hangings. 

115.  Cristofre,  an  image  of  St.  Christopher,  patron  saint  of 
the  weather  and  forests,  and  especially  reverenced  by  the  lower 
orders  of  society;  it  was  worn  as  a  brooch,  and  was  considered 
as  having  power  to  shield  the  wearer  from  hidden  danger. 

117.  forster,  a  forester;  one  who  had  charge  of  a  forest. 

119.  symple.  Elide  final  e  before  a  vowel.  The  original 
meaning  of  simple  lacked  the  idea  of  stupidity  which  we  gen- 
erally attach  to  it.  Simple  has  come  to  us  through  the  French; 
while  complex,  from  the  same  root,  has  come  from  the  Latin  direct, 

120.  gretteste.     Final  e  denotes  definite  declension. 

Ne  —  biit=^on\y.  Still  used  in  England  in  the  form  «C(^/^/. 
Wright's  Die.  The  second  negative  is  here  supplied  by  but, 
which  has  a  negative  force.  "  The  thief  cometh  tiot  but  for  to 
steal."  Gr.  d  /z^.  Jno.  x.  10.  Cf.  also,  "  There  were  but  ten  " 
;^  there  were  no  more  than  (only)  ten.  See  Abbott's  Shak.  Gr., 
§§  1 18-130. 

Z,^V  =  Eloy,  i.e.,  St.  Eligius.  Tyrwhitt  reads:  "  nasbut  by 
St.  Eloy." 

122.  sang  the  5^rT;/5e  =  intoned  the  service.  "And  bi  tlie 
weie  ase  heo  geth,  go  singinde  hire  beoden  "  (beads,  prayers). 
An.  R.,  424. 

Servise,  prayers,  —  not  mass,  which  could  be  celebrated  only 
by  a  priest. 

8 


114  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

123.  E?iiii?ied  I'ji  her  nose.     The  notion  that  there  is  a  peculiar 
solemnity  in  a  nasal  tone  is  not  jet  extinct. 

semcly,  becomingly  :   trissyllable. 

124.  From  the  time  of  William  the  Conqueror,  who  filled  all 
offices  in  Church  and  State  with  Normans,  and  thus  made 
French  the  aristocratic  language,  until  nearly,  if  not  quite,  to 
the  time  of  Chaucer,  familiarity  with  the  French  language  was 
esteemed  a  mark  of  high  breeding  and  education.  Gower,  a 
contemporary  of  Chaucer,  wrote  one  of  his  long  poems  in 
French,  one  in  Latin,  and  one  in  English.  The  confusion  of 
the  speech  of  the  different  classes  of  people  ISetween  these  three 
tongues — Latin  being  spoken  by  ecclesiastics,  French  by  the 
nobility,  and  English  by  the  common  people  —  is  admirably 
shown  by  the  specimens  given  in  the  "  Political  Songs  of  Eng-^ 
land,"  edited  by  Thos.  Wright  for  the  Camden  Society,  1839. 

"  En  seynt  eglise  sunt  multi  saepe  priores; 
Summe  beoth  wyse,  multi  sunt  inferiores."     p.  251. 
Robert  of  Gloucester  (i.  364)  gives  the  following  account  of  the 
introduction  of  French  :  — 

"  Thus  come  lo  !  Engelond  into  Normannes  honde, 
And  the  Normans  ne  couthe  speke  tho  bote  her  owe  speche, 
And  speke  French  as  dude  at  om  and  here  chyldren  dude  also 

teche 
So  that  hej'  men  of  thys  lond,  that  of  her  blod  come, 
Holdeth  alle  thulke  speche  that  hii  of  hem  nome. 
For  bote  a  man  couthe  French,  me  tolth  of  hym  wel  lute; 
Ac  lowe  men  holdeth  to   Englyss   and  to   her  kunde   speche 
yute." 
That  is  :  Thus  came  England  into  the  Normans'  hands;  and  the 
Normans  could  not  then  speak  any  but  their  own  language;  and 
they  spoke  French  as  they  did  at  home,  and  so  taught  their  chil- 
dren ;  so  that  the  nobility  of  this  land  that  descended  from  them 
all  (hold  to)  continue  to  use  that  language  that  they  received  of 
them.     For,  except   a   man   understood   French,   one   made   but 
little  of  him;  but  the  common  people  continue  to  use  English 
and  their  native  speech  yet. 

Prof.  Earle,  in  his  "  Philology  of  the  English  Tongue,"  says: 
"  During  this  long  interval  (from  the  12th  to  the  14th  cen- 
tury) the  reigning  language  was  French  ;  and  this  fashion,  like 
all  fashions,  went  on  spreading  and  embracing  a  wider  area, 
and  ever  growing  thinner  as  it  spread,  till  in  the  thirteenth  and 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  1 15 

fourteenth  centuries  it  was  become  an  acknowledged  subject  of 
derision."     p.  65. 

125.  scole  of  Stratford,  after  the  style  spoken  in  the  rural 
districts  of  England,  rather  than  that  spoken  in  Paris. 

126.  Frcnsch  of  Paris.  Of  the  various  dialects  spoken  in 
France,  that  spoken  at  the  capital  early  became  the  standard. 
For  a  most  interesting  account  of  this  subject,  see  Brachet's 
Historical  French  Grammar.  "  Chaucer  thought  but  meanly 
of  tlie  English  French  spoken  in  his  time.  It  was  proper,  how- 
ever, that  the  Prioress  should  speak  some  sort  of  French,  not 
only  as  a  woman  of  fashion  (a  character  which  she  is  repre- 
sented to  affect),  but  as  a  religious  person."     T. 

u7tk}ioive,  p.p.  =  unknown.  The  tendency  to  drop  final  n, 
which  has  prevailed  in  the  case  of  the  infinitive,  is  here  ex- 
hibited in  the  case  of  the  participle,  where  it  has  in  inost  cases 
successfully  resisted. 

127.  at  inete=^  at  the  table. 

ivithalle,  besides,  with  all  her  other  accomplishments. 

128.  Falle,  inf.,  to  be  construed  with/ee/(pr.  of  let). 

129.  Ne  xvette  hyrc  fyngres.  The  use  of  knives  and  forks  at 
table  is  one  of  the  refinements  of  modern  civilization;  cf.  '•  He 
that  dippeth  his  hand  with  me  in  the  dish."     Matt.  xxvi.  23. 

130.  keepe^  sc.  cowde  sche  =  she  knew  how  to  take  care.  A.S. 
cepan^=\.o  take,  to  attempt,  to  regard,  heed,  keep. 

To  take  keep  =  io  take  care.  "  He  that  keepeth  [i.e.,  careth 
for]  Israel  shall  not  slumber  nor  sleep."  Ps.  cxxi.  4.  See  K., 
1380. 

132.  leste  =  pleasure,  that  to  which  she  gave  attention.  The 
verb  as  well  as  the  noun  lust  in  E.E.  simply  denoted  pleasure, 
and  was  not  restricted  to  base  passion  as  at  present.  With  the 
second  meaning  given  above,  cf.  listless. 

i2,-\.  fcrtki?/g,  literally,  a  fourth  part;  hence  any  small  por- 
tion. For  the  same  tendency  to  restrict  a  definite  part  to  mean- 
ing a  small  part,  cf.  t it /ie  =  tenth.  wo/V/y  =  one-half. 

135.  dronken.  p.p.  drunk.  A.S.  drincan,  p.  dratic,  p.p.  drun- 
cen.  The  pret.  and  p.p.  of  this  class  of  verbs  should  be  carefully 
distinguished. 

136.  Fill  scm-e-ly.,  very  prettilv,  becomingly. 

^««^<^^e  =  reached,  pret.  of  reche.  This  old  pret.  is  obso- 
lete, and  a  new  one  has  been  formed  after  the  analogy  of  weak 
verbs. 


Il6  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

137.  of  grei  disport,  attributive  genitive;  cf.  "He  is  a  man 
of  means."     She  was  very  fond  of  gajetj. 

139.  peynede  hire  =  took  pains.  The  reflexive  use  of  this  verb 
is  obsolete. 

to  countrefete  cheere  =  \.o  imitate  the  manner.  The  idea  of 
imitation  for  a  fraudulent  purpose,  which  now  attaches  to  coun- 
terfeit, is  wanting  in  E.E.,  where  counterfeit  not  unfrequentlj 
denotes  a  portrait. 

140.  estatlich,  like  one  possessed  of  an  estate  ;  hence  stately, 
high-bred. 

court.  "  CoJiors  or  Cors  was  first  used  in  the  sense  of  a  hur- 
dle, an  enclosure,  a  cattle  3'ard.  The  cohortes^  or  divisions  of 
the  Roman  armj,  were  called  by  the  same  name;  so  many 
soldiers  constituting  a  pen  or  a  court.  Thus  cors,  cortis,  from 
meaning  a  pen,  a  cattle-yard,  became  in  mediaeval  Latin 
Curtis,  and  was  used,  like  the  German  Hof,  of  the  farms  and 
castles  built  by  Roman  settlers  in  the  provinces  of  the  Em- 
pire. Lastly,  from  meaning  a  fortified  place,  curtis  rose  to  the 
dignity  of  a  roj'al  residence,  and  became  synonymous  with 
palace."     Max  Miiller,  Sci.  Lang.,  269. 

141.  to  bc?i  koldefi=^to  be  considered.  ■ 

142.  ^/^/  =  still  further,  indicating  simply  a  change  in  the 
point  of  view.  But  is  in  A.S.  buta?i  for  bi-uta?i,  that  is  ^j/- 
out ^:=  without  =  near- but- out.  It  gradually  loses  its  adversative 
force,  and  becomes  a  simple  conjunction. 

for  to  speken,  the  gerund  or  verbal  noun.  We  would  now 
^^y  speaki}ig,  &c.,  using  the  independent  participial  construction. 
144.  If  that  =  1^  so  be  that;  if  it  happened  that.  Accord- 
ing to  this  explanation,  that  is  the  sentence  article,  belonging 
to  the  sentence  she  saw,  &c.,  which  is  the  subject  of  the  sup- 
plied verb.  This  explanation  will  also  apply  to  the  other  cases 
where  that  follows  a  conjunction. 

146.  of  smale  houndes,  a  partitive  genitive;  cf.  A.S.  "  Ic 
haebbe  his  her"  =  I  have  some  (of  it)  here.  Perhaps,  however, 
this  is  an  imitation  of  the  French  idiom.  The  A.S.  generally 
uses  the  genitive,  sometimes  the  preposition  of. 

147.  wa^/t'/ <5rce(f^  fine  white  bread.  Dogs  were  usually  fed 
on  coarse  lentil  bread  baked  for  that  purpose. 

148.  But  =  Sir\d;  it  is  equivalent  to  an  emphatic  conjunction, 
its  adversative  force  calling  especial  attention  to  the  new  partic- 
ular. 


NOTES   TO   THE  FROLOGUE.  1 17 

Scan  :    But  so  |  re  wepte  |  sch'  if  oon  |  of  hem  |  were  deed. 

149.  me?i,  the  indefinite  pronoun  {one),  now  unfortunately 
obsolete.  It  is  also  written  me,  which  must  be  carefully  dis- 
tinguished from  the  dat.  and  ace.  of/. 

smoL  pret.  singular;  the  plural  would  be  smite.  So  in  A.S. 
he  smot,  we  smiton. 

yerde^^a.  stick,  a  rod.  A.S.  gyrd,  geard.  This  word  means  : 
(i)  an  enclosed  place  (Goth,  garda,  a  gard  or  fold,  gards,  a 
house),  a  garden;  (2)  the  means  by  which  such  enclosure  is 
effected,  i.e.,  palings  or  sticks;  (3)  finally,  the  word  comes  to 
denote  a  lineal  measure  determined  by  the  usual  length  of  such 
palings.  So,  also,  rod  has  passed  to  denote  a  measure  of  dis- 
tance ;    and  rood,  a  measure  of  area. 

152.  /r<?/>'5:=  slender,  well-proportioned. 

"  Her  face  gentil  and  tretise."     Rom.  R.,  1016. 

Eyen  =  e.yes.  A  remnant  of  the  n  declension  of  nouns;  cf. 
oxen,  chicken,  kine. 

255.    a  spanne  broad,  ace.  of  measure. 

troive^^ih'xnk,  should  think. 

156.  hardily,  assuredly,  certainly.  Hard  originally  denotes 
strength  (cf.  /tardy),  thence  reliability. 

157.  I  -was  tuaar,  I  was  aware,  I  observed. 

159  peire^=ii  set;  used  to  denote  anything,  the  parts  of 
which,  or  the  natural  divisions  of  which,  are  equal  to  each 
other. 

bedes  =  heixds,,  a  rosary.  Bead  is  derived  from  the  A.S.  bid- 
dan,  Ger.  betoi,  to  pray;  it  means:  (i)  a  prayer;  (2)  a  string 
of  balls  upon  which  the  tale  or  tally  of  prayers  was  kept:  hence 
the  phrase  "  to  tell  one's  beads  "=  to  say  one's  prayer*. 

gauded  al  zvith  gre7ie,  with  green  gaudes.  The  gaudees  were 
large  beads  upon  the  rosary  indicating  a  Pater  Noster. 

160.  broch^^'-'  brooch,  signified:  (i)  a  pin;  (2)  a  breastpin; 
(3)  a  buckle  or  clasp  ;  (4)  a  jewel  or  ornament.  It  was  an  orna- 
ment common  to  both  sexes.  The  '  crowned  A.'  is  supposed  to 
represent  Amor  or  Charity,  the  greatest  of  all  the  Christian 
graces."    M. 

162.  Amor  vijicit  omnia.  Love  (charity)  conquers  (surpasses) 
all  things. 

163.  Another  Nonne.  Tyrwhitt  says:  "No  nun  could  be  a 
chaplain."  Probably  a  nun  who  assisted  her  in  her  duties  aS 
prioress,  and  called  a  chaplain  from  the  analogy. 


Il8  NOTES    TO    THE   PROLOGUE. 

164.  chapelly7i.  This  word  maj'  be  used  here  as  equivalent  to 
assistant.  Tjrwhitt,  however,  rejects  these  two  lines  as  interpo- 
lations, because  of  the  difficulty  mentioned  above.  According 
to  Spelman,  the  word  chapel  has  passed  through  the  following 
significations  :  (i)  a  chest  or  coffer,  in  which  the  relics  of  martjrs 
were  preserved;  (2)  a  building  in  which  these  capellae  of  relics 
were  kept;  (3)  a  place  of  praj'er,  because  of  the  peculiar  sanctity 
of  such  places.  Accordingly  the  word  chaplaui  would  pass 
through  corresponding  changes,  and  would  mean  :  (i)  a  keeper 
of  such  a  coffer  of  relics ;  (2)  one  whose  duty  it  was  to  superin- 
tend the  building  in  which  the  coffer  was  kept,  or  that  part  of 
the  building  in  yhich  the  shrine  was  erected ;  (3)  one  whose 
duty  it  was  to  read  prayers.  Inferior  clergv  can  read  prayers, 
while  no  one  but  a  consecrated  priest  can  celebrate  mass.  Hence 
the  idea  of  inferioritj^  would  naturally  attach  to  the  w'ord  chap- 
lain, and  the  word  might  come  in  time  to  denote  a  servant  in  a 
religious  house.-  The  same  idea  of  inferiority  attaches  to  a  chapel 
as  compared  with  a  church.  Webster's  Dictionary  gives  another 
derivation  of  chapel:  "Originally  a  short  cloak,  hood,  or  cowl, 
a  sacred  vessel,  chapel.  It  is  said  that  the  king  of  France  in 
war  carried  St.  INIartyn's  hat  into  the  field,  which  was  kept  in  a 
tent  as  a  precious  relic,  whence  the  place  took  the  name  capclla., 
a  little  hat.  and  the  priest  who  had  the  custody  of  the  tent  was 
called  capellaftus,  now  chaplain.''  Wedgwood  says,  and  we  think 
with  good  reason,  alluding  to  the  foregoing  derivation:  "But 
we  have  no  occasion  to  resort  to  so  hypothetical  a  derivation. 
The  canopy  or  covering  of  an  altar  where  mass  was  celebrated 
was  called  capella,  a  hood.  .  .  .  And  it  can  hardly  be  doubted 
that  the  name  of  the  canopy  was  extended  to  the  recess  in  a 
church  in  which  an  altar  was  placed,  forming  the  capella  or 
chapel  of  the  saint  to  whom  the  altar  was  dedicated." 

165.  a  fair  for  the  maistric  =  ?i  fair  one  for  the  position  of 
master.  "  The  phraseybr  the  maistre  is  equivalent  to  the  French 
four  la  7naistrie,  which  in  old  books  of  physic  was  applied  to 
such  medicines  as  we  usually  call  sovereign  [specific]  or  excel- 
lent above  all  others.  In  the  same  sense  the  monk  is  said  to  be 
fair  for  the  maistrie  —  above  all  others."     T. 

166.  A}i  Oid-rydere  ^ox\Q.  who  rides  after  the  hounds  in  hunt- 
ing. Out  in  composition  often  denotes  to  a  great  degree,  intensi- 
fying the  word  to  which  it  is  joined  ;  cf.  <?«/-«//</-^«/^=  thoroughly ; 
utter.)  &c. 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  1 19 

veilerye  =  hunting ;  a  practice  of  the  monks  which  occasioned 
great  scandal. 

"And  these  abbotes  and  priours  don  agein  here  rihtes ; 
Hii  riden  wid  hauk  and  hound,  and  contrefeten  knihtes." 

Pol.  Songs,  329. 

167.  to  bcfi,  inf.,  construed  with  able. 

to  ben  an  abbot  able.  His  qualifications  for  this  holy  office 
aiford  a  fine  opportunity  for  Chaucer's  satire.  In  a  similar  strain 
of  satire  we  speak  of  corpulent  men  as  "fit  for  aldermen." 

168.  Ficl  ma.^j  a.  Ma7iy  must  be  construed  as  an  adverb 
modifying  «,  which  is  here  equivalent  to  the  numeral  one.  In 
semi-Saxon  (Layamon)  we  find  the  two  words  joined;  nom. 
mojtienne,  gen.  vioniennes.  In  illustration  of  this  use  of  a,  cf. 
"  With  him  ther  wente  knvghtes  many  oon."  K.,  1260.  "  Of  fees 
and  robes  hadde  he  many  oon."  P.,  317.  "  In  the  same  way  the 
Germans  say  mancher  (adj.)  Mann,  but  solch  (adv.)  ein  Mann. 
In  A.S.  the  idiom  was  '  many  man,'  not  '  many  a  man.'  "  Abbott, 
Shak.  Gr.,  §  85.  At  present  the  use  of  the  article  is  simply  to 
allow  the  word  many  to  stand  with  a  singular  noun  ;  in  such 
cases  many  a  =  ma?iy  times  a,  causing  the  word  to  be  taken  dis- 
tributively;  while  many  used  with  the  plural  would  denote  the 
collective  use  of  the  noun  to  which  it  belonged.  The  distribu- 
tive use  is  more  intensive,  as  it  fixes  the  attention  upon  the 
unit.  The  force  of  the  expression  has  caused  it  to  be  retained, 
although  its  true  syntax  is  no  longer  obvious. 

stable,  article  omitted. 

169.  bridel  heerc  gynglen.  The  verb  hecre  governs  hridcl 
gynglen  as  its  object.  The  infinitive  when  construed  as  a  noun 
retains  its  verbal  force.  Bridel  is  the  ace.  subject  of  gynglen, 
"After  verbs  of  perceiving  .  .  .  and  some  others,  the  logical 
object  is  the  infinitive  clause."  March,  §  293.  "Anciently  no 
person  seems  to  have  been  gallantly  equipped  on  horseback, 
unless  the  horse's  bridle  or  some  other  part  of  the  furniture  was 
stuck  full  of  small  bells.  Wiclif,  in  his  Trialoge,  inveighs 
against  the  priests  for  "their  fair  hors  and  jolly  and  gay  sad- 
eles,  and  bridles  ringing  by  the  way."     Warton,  167. 

170.    Gvv;^/£?«,  inf.  jingling.     Tyrwhitt  reads  _^7/_^(?//;/^.     Pro- 
long the  first  foot=^-/«^-ling. 

171.  loude  and  cleere  are  adverbs. 
doth,  sc.  gynglen. 

172.  There  a5  =  there   where  =  where.     In   such  expressions 


I20  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

as  was  probably  added  to  indicate  the  relative  force  of  what 
otherwise  might  be  taken  for  the  demonstrative  adverb;  cf. 
whereas  TShak.)  =  where  that.  In  E.E.  there  and  i/ien  are  used 
in  cases  where  we  would  write  vjJiere  and  when ;  the  former 
beinsf  in  E.E.  both  demonstrative  and  relative,  and  the  latter 
being  interrogative.  As  is  added  to  all  the  interrogative  adverbs 
to  render  them  relative,  and  may  have  also  been  added  to  those 
which  bv  their  form  were  either  demonstrative  or  relative,  to 
determine  their  relative  character,  or  the  addition  may  have 
been  due  to  the  force  of  analogy. 

173.  Maiire  —  ^e«ei'i?  =  Maur  —  Benedict.  St.  Maur  was  a 
disciple  of  St.  Benedict.  The  rule  (discipline)  of  these  saints 
was  the  oldest,  and  consequently  the  strictest  fonn  of  discipline 
in  the  Catholic  church. 

174.  Bycause  />^«/  =  because,  for  the  reason  that;  cf.  "by  the 
cause."  K.,  1630.  In  compounds  where  ^/precedes,  it  is  changed 
to  be ;  as,  before,  behittd,  beside ;  where  it  follows,  it  retains  its 
form;  as,  thereby,  hereby,  t&c.  The  prefix  be,  in  English  verbs, 
stands  in  the  place  of  three  prefixes  originally  distinct:  (i)  be, 
the  intensive  prefix,  as  bereave  (Goth.,  biraubon)  ;  (2)  the  inten- 
sive or  collective  prefix  ^e,  as  believe,  Ger.  glauben  (Goth.,  ga- 
laubjau);  (3)  the  preposition  by,  as  hecovae^^  by-come.  Be  in 
the  ist  and  3d  cases  was  undoubtedly  originally  the  same,  de- 
noting nearness,  hence  intensity. 

that  refers  to  catcse  considered  as  a  noun ;  cf.  "In  the  place 
that  the  tree  falleth  '=  where  the  tree  falleth,  or,  as  it  would  be 
in  E.E.,  xvhere  that;  cf.  also  therefore ^^^ior  this,  that. 

somdel=  somewhat.     We  still  say  "  a  good  deal." 

176.  trace.     Other  readings  are  space,  pace. 

To  hold  the  trace ^=to  follow  the  track. 

177-  of  that  text.  That  which  suggests  a  mental  state  is  in 
A.S.  put  in  the  genitive.  The  statement  of  the  act  in  this  case 
is  but  an  expressive  way  of  showing  his  utter  contempt  for  the 
strict  discipline  of  the  early  monks.  Of  is  here  equivalent  to 
concerning. 

a  pulled  he7t.  "A  moulting  hen,  a  worthless  hen,  because 
neither  laying  eggs  nor  fit  for  food."  M.  "  The  French  poulet, 
which  then  meant  a  ^^oung  child,  is  Anglicized  into  something 
which  looks  like  the  participle  of  the  verb  to  prill  in  the  Prol- 
ogue, 177."  Earle's  Philology.  Neither  of  these  explanations 
appears  to  me  satisfactory.     I  think  it  means  a  hen  reduced  to  a 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  121 

mere  skeleton,  —  as  we  say,  "mere  skin  and  bones."  The  word 
is  variously  written  pulled,  peeled,  pilled,  pollid,  and  is  probably 
allied  to  French  piller,  to  plunder,  and  hence  figuratively  =  poor. 
"Thou  must  not  pil  and  powle  the  tenant."  Latimer,  vii.  Ser.  51, 
Arber. 

'"Thus  ye  derid  hein  unduly  with  droppis  of  anger, 
And  stonyed  him  with  stormes  that  stynted  nevere, 
But  plucked  and  pulled  hem  anon  to  the  skynnes, 
That  the  ffresing  iTrost  ffreted  to  here  hertis." 

Dep.  Ric,  12. 

"A  nation    scattered  and  peelled."     Is.  xviii.  2.     Some  derive 

the  word  from  depilatus,  bald.     "And  if  it  is  a  foul  thing  to  a 

womman  to  hQ  pollid,  or  to  be  maad  ballid."    Wiclif,  i  Cor.  xi.  6. 

"As  pyled  as  an  ape  was  his  skulle."     C.  T. ,  3933. 

"With  skalled  browes  blake  and  piled  herd."    P.,  627. 

178.  That  seith,  that.  First  that,  rel.  pron.  referring  to  text ; 
second  that,  sentence  article,  modifying  the  sentence  which  is  the 
object  o{  seith. 

fioon  =  not  at  all,  in  no  case:  an  emphatic  negative  =  no 
one.     It  must  be  explained  as  an  adverbial  accusative. 

179.  r^cc^e/^5  =  reckless  :  regardless  of  the  laws  ofhis  order. 
Tyrwhitt  supposes  Chaucer  to  have  written  7-eghelles  (A^S.  regol, 
rule)  =  without  rule,  but  the  other  explanation  suits  the  context 
better. 

iSo.  is  likened=  is  to  be  likened  to  :  is  like  to. 

7va/er/^5  =  out  of  water.  Words  in  less  are  now  used  only 
subjectively. 

181.  This  is  to  5^r«  =  that  is  to  say.  Philosophicalh',  it  is 
more  correct  to  use  the  near  demonstrative  in  such  cases,  but 
our  present  idiom  is  fixed  otherwise. 

to  seyji,  predicate  with  is. 

a  monk,  &c.,  sc.  is  likc7ied. 

\^2.-^worth,  an  abbreviated  form  of  worthy,  which  in  A.S.  was 
followed  by  a  gen.  of  price.  W^e  have  retained  this  construction 
with  'worthy;  with  zuorth,  however,  we  use,  as  here,  the  ace.  of 
definition. 

183.   T seide=\  should  say.     Subj.  pret. 

opiniouii,  trissyllable. 

good.  The  usual  etymology  refers  this  word  to  the  same  root 
as  God,  with  the  original  meaning  of  moral  excellence.  It  is, 
however,  probable  that  the  resemblance  is  only  accidental,  and 


12  2  NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

that  the  original  force  of  good  is  given  more  nearly  in  this  pas- 
sage, —  an  opinion  that  'tvill  hold. 

184.    J^V/«/ =  why,  wherefore,  Lat.  ^z^/'^.     Common  in  Shak- 

speare. 

studie,  inf.  The  auxiliary  verbs  are  followed  by  the  infini- 
tive, although  they  have  degenerated  into  hardly  more  than 
modal  or  tense  signs. 

himselven^  ace.  sing.  For  dative,  see  1.  528.  As  we  inflect 
self  on\y  in  the  plural,  v  does  not  occur  in  the  sing. 

ivood,  crazy,  mad.  This  root  is  preserved  in  Wednesday 
(Wodensday),  so  named  from  the  A.S.  god  Woden,  —  the  Raging 
one,  —  an  appropriate  designation  for  the  god  of  war.  Scot,  ivud, 
mad,  distracted,  wild.  "  An'  just  as  wud  as  wud  can  be."  Burns. 
185.  To pow re  =  to -^ovQ,  to  he.  construed  y^'xth  studie.  "Why 
should  he  devote  himself  (study,  cf.  Lat.  studere)  to  poring  over 
books  in  a  cloyster,  and  make  himself  mad.'"' 

186.  57X^^'«/('e  =  labor,  inf.,  construe  with  xvhat  schulde,  1.  184. 
This  word  is  now  obsolete,  although  used  by  Milton. 

187.  Hozv  schal,  &c.  A  fine  bit  of  special  pleading,  or  sar- 
casm. This  whole  passage  is  punctuated  differently;  some  place 
an  exclamation  point  after  what,  and  only  commas  until  byt  ^ 
Morris  points  a  full  stop  after  poure.  With  the  first  pointing, 
which  seems  to  give  the  easiest  reading,  the  sense  would  be 
"what!  should  he  study,  &c.,  how  shall  the  world  be  served." 
With  this  pointing,  sdmlde  and  swyjike  will  be  subjunctives. 
With  the  pointing  given  in  our  text,  "  How  schal,"  &c.,  is  rather 
an  assertion  under  cover  of  a  question  =  if  he  should  study,  «&c., 
the  world  could  not  be  served. 

188.  "Let  Austin  keep  his  labor  for  himself." 

\'$>c).  ;pricasour^=2i  hard  rider.  Literally  "a  spurrer,"  one 
who  rode  with  "  whip  and  spur." 

aright  ^=  0)1  r/^///=  indeed.  We  now  use  dovjnright  with  a 
similar  force. 

190.  Scan  :  Greyhoundes  ]  he  hadde  |  as  swifte  [  as  fowel  [  in 
flight. 

foxvel,  pi.  =  birds.  Now  usually  restricted  to  domesticated 
birds. 

192.    Was  al  his  lust=^  his  pleasure  was  wholly. 

for  no  cost,  &c.  =  "  for  no  expense  would  he  abstain  from 
these  sports."  ISI.  Perhaps,  better,  "he  would  on  no  account 
refrain,  —  for  no  reason.     The  verb  cost  is  sometimes  used  figu- 


NOTES    TO    THE   PROLOGUE.  123 

rativelj  as  nearly  equivalent  to  cause;  e.g.,  "  Slaverj'- cost  the 
country  a  four  years'  war."  So  also  ncedes-cosi  =  {or  the  reason 
of  need;  on  account  of  necessity. 

193.  purjilcd,  embroidered.  Purfil  (subst.)  signifies  the  em- 
broidered or  furred  trimming  of  a  dress;  hence  the  verb  comes 
to  have  the  general  meaning  to  ornament. 

atte  =  at  the. 

194.  that,  sc.  which  was.      Or  atid  that  may  be  explained  as  an 
emphatic  conjunction  =  aitd  that  too. 

195,  Hood.     "With  an  hode  on  his  hed,  a  lousi  hatte  aboue." 
P.P.  v.  195. 

197.  love-knot,  an  intricate  knot,  typical  of  an  indissoluble 
union.  Such  minute  touches  of  description  reveal  the  charac- 
ter of  the  monk  with  a  wonderful  life-likeness. 

198.  balled  =^h2i.\di.  ''The  original  meaning  seems  to  have 
been:  (i)  shining;  (2)  white."  M.  "Smooth  as  a  ball."  T. 
''Besides  signifying  void  of  hair,  bald  is  used  in  the  sense  of 
having  a  white  mark  on  the  face."  Wedgwood.  Cheap  whiskey 
which  fires  the  face  is  called  bald-face  (see  Bartlett's  Diet.  Am.), 
in  which  the  O.E.  bal,  a  blaze,  is  clearly  recognizable. 

199.  And  eek  connects_/ace  with  the  subject  o{ schon,  as  though 
it  had  been  separately  expressed. 

««<y«/  =  anointed,  p.p.  Verbs  ending  \x\  d  or  t  contract  the 
ending  ed :  (1)  by  dropping  the  ^  or  t ;  (2)  by  transposing  the 
letters  ed  and  uniting  the  consonants;  (3)  or  by  transposing 
the  letters  of  the  termination:  e.g.,  <^///^  =  builded ;  caste^=^ 
casted  ;  let  =^  letted  ;  fedde  =  feded. 

200.  lord,  a  title  of  honor,  like  Sir,  given  to  persons  of  su- 
perior rank,  and  to  monks. 

m  good  point,  a  translation  of  the  French  etnbonpoint,  —  ro- 
tundity of  figure. 

201.  eyefi  steep  ^bright  eyes. 

"  Stepe  stayred  stones  of  his  stoute  throne."  E.E.  Al.  Poems, 
ii.  1396. 

rollyng  hi  his  heede,  quick  in  their  movements  ;  cf.  Gr.  Buiicjrp, 
a  frequent  epithet  of  youths. 

202.  That,  rel.  pron.  pi.  relating  to  6'jr.'^.  "That  shone  like 
the  fire  under  a  caldron." 

203.  bootes  souple.  The  term  boot  at  first  probably  denoted 
a  brogan  or  moccason,  a  bag  of  leather  laced  on  the  instep.  Prob- 
ably so  named  from  their  being  made  of  the  entire  skin  of  the 
animal ;  cf.  bottle. 


124  NOTES    TO   THE   PBOLOGUE. 

20^.  forpyned  goost  =  ^  spirit  wasted  awaj  by  punishment. 
The  force  of  yb;'  in  composition  (Ger.  ver)  is  opposition,  dete- 
rioration, &c.  The  Greek  napa  is  simiLarlj  used,  and  (being 
from  the  same  root)  affords  a  good  explanation  of  the  prefix, 
Ilapa  means  alofig  side  of :  hence  as  a  prefix  denotes  that  which 
fails  of  coming  up  to  a  certain  mark. 

207.  brojcn,  connected  with  byrnan,  to  burn. 

berye.  Bhaksh  in  Sanskrit  =  to  eat:  hence  Lat.  bacca,  Goth. 
basja  (A.S.  beria),  a  berry.  What  a  wonderful  revelation  of  the 
primitive  condition  of  man  is  given  in  the  simple  fact  that  the 
word  iox  food  is  berry,  —  that  which  grows  of  its  own  accord  ! 

208.  The  fonre  Ordres  were  :  (i)  The  Dominicans,  or  preach- 
ing friars  ;  (2)  The  Franciscans,  or  Gray  Friars;  (3)  The  Car- 
melites, or  White  Friars;   (4)  The  Augustine  (Austin)  Friars. 

ivantotcn^^^^fvee ;  literally,  untrained,  unrestrained  :  xva?i^=  un  ; 
2Vowe«  =  trained.  "  Schomeleas  is  the  mon  .  .  .  that  deth  eni 
untoweschipe  "  =  that  doeth  any  wanton  act.  An.  R.,  170;  cf. 
"Ne  [beon  heo]  so  fulitowune"=  be  they  never  so  coarse.  lb., 
244. 

209.  $olemp7ie-=  festive.  The  word  literally  means  ann7ial, 
and  originally  denoted  those  religious  ceremonies  which  were 
celebrated  annually:  hence  the  word  comes  to  have  two  mean- 
ings, —  (i)  demanding  reverence  ;  (2)  festive.  The  latter  meaning 
is  obsolete.  The  p  was  inserted  to  facilitate  the  pronunciation 
of  both  m  and  n;  having  dropped  the/,  we  only  sound  the  ;». 

211.  daliaimce  and  fair  lauo-age  =  gossip  and  flattery. 

213.  rvymmen.  In  early  times  the  sexes  were  distinguished  by 
their  occupations.  Men  were  called  the  "  weapon  side"  of  the 
family;  women,  the  "  spindle  side."  The  first  gave  rise  to  we^- 
meji ;  the  second  to  wif-men^  the  weaving  men. 

at  his  otvjie  cost.  The  marriage  settlement  proposed  by  thQ 
friends  of  the  bride  was  one  of  her  chief  attractions.  Pepys  (in 
his  Diary,  1662)  mentions  his  objections  to  the  small  dowry  of 
a  lady  proposed  for  his  brother,  and  broke  off  the  match  on  this 
account.     He  also  gave  his  sister  £600  as  her  dowry. 

214.  Scan  :  Unto  |  his  ordr'  |  he  was  ]  &c. 

Post,  support,  pillar.  "  Originally  2i  post  was  something  pos- 
ited or  placed  firmly  in  the  ground,  such  as  an  upright  piece  of 
wood  or  stone.  .  .  .  As  a  post  wonld  often  be  used  to  mark  a  fixed 
spot  of  ground,  as  in  a  mile-post,  it  came  to  mean  the  fixed  or  ap- 
pointed place,  where  the  post  was  placed,  as  in  a  military  post, 


NOTES   TO   THE   PROLOGUE.  125 

the  post  of  danger  or  honor,  &c.  The  fixed  places  where  horses 
were  kept  in  readiness  to  facilitate  rapid  travelling  during  the 
times  of  the  Roman  Empire  were  thus  called  posts^  and  thence 
the  whole  system  of  arrangement  for  the  conveyance  of  persons 
or  news  came  to  be  called  the  posts.  The  name  has  retained  an 
exactly  similar  meaning  to  the  present  day  in  most  parts  of 
Europe;  and  we  still  use  it  in  post-chaise,  post-boy,  post-horse, 
postilion.  A  system  of  post  conveyance  for  letters  having  been 
organized  for  about  two  centuries  in  England  and  other  countries, 
this  is  perhaps  the  meaning  most  closely  associated  with  the 
word  post  at  present,  and  a  number  of  expressions  have  thus 
arisen :  such  as,  post-office,  postage.  .  .  .  Curiously  enough  we 
now  have  iron  letter-posts,  in  which  the  word  post  is  restored 
exactly  to  its  original  meaning."  Jevon's  Logic,  34.  From  the 
notion  fixed  or  placed^  the  word  easily  passes  to  the  idea  of  sup- 
port or  any  thing  placed  under. 

216.  cu?i t re  ^=^  country.  "  Gegeiid  in  German  means  region 
or  country.  It  is  a  recognized  term;  and  it  signified  originally 
that  which  is  before  or  against,  what  forms  the  object  of  our 
view.  Now,  in  Latin,  gegcn,  or  against,  would  be  expressed  by 
contra;  and  the  Germans,  not  recollecting  at  once  the  Latin 
word  rcgio,  took  to  translating  their  idea  of  Gegend,  that  which 
was  before  them,  by  contratum  \contrd\  or  terra  contrata.  This 
became  the  Italian  contrada,  the  French  contrce,  the  English 
coHutry.'''     Max  Miiller,  Sc.  of  L.,  291. 

The  travelling  friars  were  always  welcome  guests  at  the 
houses  of  men  desirous  of  information,  as  they  alone  were  pos- 
sessed of  any  knowledge  of  foreign  countries ;  and  besides  the 
current  news  of  the  day,  which  no  other  class  had  such  means 
of  hearing,  they  were  acquainted  with  science  both  experimental 
and  practical. 

217.  xvortki,  noble,  distinguished:  contrasted  in  rank  with 
thefrankleynSf  and  as  to  residence,  in  town,  as  opposed  to  the 
CO  tin  try. 

toiin  (A.S.  tuii),  properly  a  plot  of  ground  enclosed  by  an 
hedge  (A.S.  tvnan,  to  close) ;  many  dwellings  enclosed;  that  is, 
a  village.  The  word  for  city  is  bur/i  (from  beorgan,  to  protect), 
which  denoted  a  number  of  dwellings  surrounded  by  a  wall. 
Wiclif  uses  toun  in  the  sense  of  field  :  "  I  have  bought  a  toun." 
Luke  xiv.  iS.  From  this  root  we  have  tunnel,  an  enclosed 
space. 


126  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

218.  confcssioiitt,  quadrisyllable. 

219.  more  thafi  a  curat.  A  curate  could  not  grant  absolution 
in  all  cases. 

220.  licentiat.  He  was  a  licentiate  of  his  order;  that  is,  he 
had  license  from  the  Pope  to  grant  absolution  in  all  cases. 

224.  Ther  as  he  iviste  han  ==  in  those  cases  where  he  knew  he 
would  have.  Haji,  inf.,  contracted  from  haven ;  ace.  subject 
omitted. 

pitance,  Iiterallj=a  mess  of  victuals  given  in  charity;  hence 
a  gift  for  a  religious  purpose.  "  An  extraordinary  allowance  of 
victuals  given  to  monastics  in  addition  to  their  usual  commons." 
T.  Sometimes  an  addition  allowed  to  the  portion  of  a  single 
person,  and  hence  denoting  any  small  portion. 

225.  For — for  to  give.  The  first  yi?/'  is  a  conjunction;  the 
second  with  to,  the  sign  of  the  gerund.  In  this  case  we  would 
still  use  the  gerundial  construction;  as,  "  For,  giving  unto  a 
poor  order,  is  a  sign,"  &c. 

226.  signe=^^  sign.  In  E.E.  the  article  is  often  omitted, 
where  our  present  idiom  requires  it.  Nouns  were  then  rather 
the  names  of  things  than  of  conceptions.  So  Spenser,  F.  Q^,  I. 
vi.  Title:  — 

*'  Fayre  Una  is  releast  whome  salvage  nation  does  adore." 
is   -well  i-schrive=\s,  worthily   shriven;    has  been  worthily 
absolved. 

227.  he  gaf,  he.  The  first  he  refers  to  the  penitent,  the  second 
to  the  friar. 

Dorste  make  avaufit=he  felt  confident;  literally,  he  dared 
to  make  a  boast. 

229.  of  his  herte,  &c.=  is  so  hard-hearted.  This  construction 
is  the  A.S.  genitive  of  part  in  which  the  quality  is  conceived;  it 
is  equivalent  to  the  Latin  ablative  of  limitation;  &.g>,  pedibus 
acger. 

230.  He  may  not  wepe^^he  is  not  able  to  weep.  The  literal 
meaning  o{ may  is  to  be  able.  A.S.  magan.  "  Thei  schulen  not 
mowe."  Luke  xiii.  24,  Wiclif.  They  shall  not  be  able.  A.  V. 
So  also  in  the  preterite  : 

"  His  felavv  Aristippus  hight 
Which  mochel  couthe  and  mochel  might." 

Gower's  Con.  Am.,  iii.  160. 
although,  emphatic  form  of  though,  which  is  a  derivative  of 
the  demonstrative  pronoun  ;  the  ugh  is  the  intensive  pronominal 


NOTES   TO    THE  PROLOGUE.  1 27 

particle;  Goth,  tik,  Lat.  ce.  Though  is  therefore  equivalent  to 
Lat.  quanquam. 

him  sore  smerte=  it  might  pain  him  severely:  he  might  be 
trulj  penitent. 

Him,  ace.  after  smerte. 

231.  in  stede=^  in  place.     Now  usually  written  together. 

232.  Me?i  moot  =  orxQ  van^t. 

233.  typet.  "  When  the  order  degenerated,  the  friar  combined 
with  the  spiritual  functions  the  occupation  of  peddler,  huckster, 
mountebank,  and  quack  doctor."     Brewer  (quoted  by  Morris). 

234.  ivyfes,  dat.  pi.  of  ^cvif. 

235.  7iooie=\oice.  for  singing.  Note  (Lat.  notus)  is:  (i)  a 
mark  by  which  anything  may  be  known  ;  (2)  (in  music)  a  mark 
designating  certain  sounds;  (3)  by  metonomy,  such  a  sound; 
(4)  a  musical  voice,  —  a  voice  capable  of  making  the  notes. 

236.  couthe  he  5)'«^e  =  knew  he  how  to  sing.  Synge  and 
fleyen,  inf.  depending  upon  couthe. 

rc>/e  =  a  musical  instrument.  "  Notker  savs  that  it  was  the 
ancient  psalteriujn,  but  altered  in  shape  and  with  an  additional 
number  of  strings."     T. 

237.  yeddynges  (dissyllable)  =  romances  or  poetic  tales,  pop- 
ular songs. 

utterly  =  from  every  one  :  wholly,  to  the  utmost. 

238.  Jlour-de-lys=  lily. 

239.  Therto  =  besides,  literally  =  to  this. 

240.  He  kneiv  the  tavernes  -wei,  a  recommendation  as  a  fellow 
traveller. 

241.  ta_p_pestere ^  tapster.  The  termination  stere,  ster,  denotes 
a  feminine  agent,  although  in  the  fourteenth  century  it  was  not 
always  thus  used ;  this  may  have  arisen  froin  the  gradual  trans- 
fer to  men  of  certain  avocations  which  in  more  warlike  times 
belonged  exclusively  to  women.  The  gradual  loss  of  the  idea  of 
gender  in  this  suffix  would  indicate  the  decadence  of  that  state 
of  society  in  which  the  husband  was  styled  theivaepman  (weapon- 
man),  and  the  introduction  of  a  higher  civilization.  We  have 
also  formed  a  class  of  words  by  analogy,  in  which,  however, 
something  of  the  original  idea  of  feminine  inferiority  is  pre- 
served; 2iS,  you7igstcr.  We  find  in  O.E.  hrezustere,  ivebbestere 
(mas.  zvebbe).,  forestere,  huckstcre,  &c.  We  still  use  spinster  as 
a  feminine.  In  the  case  of  S07igster  we  have  made  a  double 
feminine  by  adding  the  ]?'rench  suffix  ess.     This  termination  is 


128  NOTES   TO   THE  PBOLOGUE. 

by  some  referred  to  the  Sanskrit  siri,  meaning  woman  :  but  the 
ending  ^er  in  all  languages  of  our  fainilj  signifies  the  agent  or 
doer;  e.g.,  Sansk.  peiar,  Lat.  pater,  Gr.  iraTTjp,  Goth,  fadar, 
Ger.  vater,  Icel.  fadir,  A.S.  faeder,  Eng.  father  ^=\.\\q.  one  who 
feeds  or  supports.  It  is  not  impossible  that  an  inorganic  s  may 
have  been  added,  thus  giving  rise  to  a  masculine  ster. 

243.  zvortki  here  refers  to  social  standing;  cf.  the  expression, 
"  worshipful  sir." 

as  he,  sc.  was. 

244.  Accordede  9iot=\t  did  not  comport  with  his  dignity. 
The  subject  of  accordede  is  to  hati,  Sic,  in  the  next  line. 

as  by  hisfaculte=^  as  tending  to  lessen  his  influence. 
by  here  =  against ;  cf.  "I  know  nothing  by  myself."    i  Cor.  iv. 
4;  i.e.,  against  myself. 

245.  sike,  pi.  of  sick.  This  use  o{ sick  is  now  called  an  Amer- 
icanism, the  English  restricting  the  meaning  of  the  word  to 
nausea.  , 

246.  "  It  is  not  becoming,  it  may  not  profit  one  to  associate 
(have  dealings)  with  such  poor  people."  This  is  in  explanation 
of  11.  243,  244. 

honest  is  here  used  in  its  Latin  signification  =  /lonorable. 

247.  Scan  :  Fo-r  |  to  del  |  en  with  |  no  such  |  poraille. 
Deleft,  to   share,  to  have  intercourse  with.     A.S.  daelati,  to 

divide.  Hence,  as  in  all  commercial  transactions  there  is  a 
sharing  of  values,  the  word  easily  came  to  have  its  present 
meaning  of  doing  business.  We  ^£?a/ with  the  grocer;  that  is, 
we  give  him  2^  part  of  our  money  for  a  part  of  his  goods.  For 
in  this  construction  seems  only  to  indicate  the  gerund  :  it  has 
not  the  force  of  a  preposition,  as  to  deleft  is  the  subject  of 
the  sentence.  It  may  possibly  be  construed  as  a  conjunction 
introducing  the  sentence,  but  thrown  out  of  its  natural  place  by 
the  exigencies  of  the  metre. 

248.  a/=  altogether. 

^/c//e=the  rich,  pi.  adj.  The  language,  because  of  the  loss 
of  inflection  in  adjectives,  does  not  allow  the  omission  of  the 
article  in  cases  like  this. 

sellers  of  vitaille  =  those  who  would  give  him  his  livelihood. 
Sellers  here  means  givers;  cf.  "  Syle  tham  the  thd  bidde." 
Matt.  V.  42.     Give  to  him  that  asketh. 

249.  Scan  :   And  o  |  v'ral  ther  |  &c. 
schulde  =  inight,  subj.  pret. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  129 

arise  =  come  hack.  A  figure  taken  from  the  "coming  up" 
of  seed.     He  was  courteous  where  it  would  pay. 

250.  iotue/y  of  service  =  humble  in  performing  his  services. 

251.  Notice  the  negatives  n'as  no  man  novohcr. 

Ver^uof^s  =^  active,  energetic,  diligent.  From  Lat.  vir,  a  man. 
Virtue  is  therefore  manliness,  or  manhood,  which  at  first  was 
synonymous  with  physical  bravery,  afterwards  applied  figura- 
tively to  denote  moral  courage  in  resisting  evil,  and  finally  it 
has  been  applied  to  the  spirit  which  resists  the  sins  to  which 
one  is  peculiarly  exposed.  What  a  revelation  of  character  is 
given  by  the  employment  of  this  word ;  as,  virtuoso^  to  desig- 
nate one  skilled  in  ornamental  arts;  or  vertu,  to  denote  articles 
whose  only  use  is  ornament! 

252.  beggere,  beggar.  That  is,  a  man  with  a  hag,  which  was 
the  usual  sign  of  a  mendicant.  It  is  a  curious  and  instructive 
fact  that  this  word  is  not  from  the  A.S. ;  cf  "  Scheome,  ich 
telle.   .  .   .  uorte  beggen  ase  on  harlot."     An.  R.,  356. 

253.  Oo  sckoo  =  Q.  shoe.     Some  read  a  sou,  a  half-penny. 
Scan  :  For  though  |  a  wid  |  ew'  had  |  de  noght  |  00  schoo. 

254.  Ift  principio.  The  beginning  of  St.  John's  Gospel  in 
the  Vulgate. 

256.  purchas  —  /?(?;/^6  =  proceeds  of  begging;  regular  income. 
nvel  better  =  much  better. 

257.  rage  and  fleyen  are  inf.  depending  upon  couthe. 

258.  love-dayes.  Days  appointed  upon  which  differences  might 
be  settled  by  arbitration,  without  recourse  to  law.  These  arbi- 
trators were  usually  chosen  from  the  clergy,  who  thus  had  a 
fine  opportunity  of  enriching  themselves,  —  an  opportunity  of 
which  they  were  not  slow  to  take  advantage.  "Mr.  Kitchin  sug- 
gests that  these  private  days  of  peace  are  analogous  to  the  truga 
dei,  —  truce  of  God,  —  so  often  proclaimed  by  bishops  between 
A.D.  1000  and  1300.  This  truce  lasted  from  3  p.m.  Saturday  to 
6  A.M.  on  Monday."  M.  Perhaps,  however,  the  word  may  be 
nothing  more  than  a  corruption  of  law-days,  —  the  days  on  which 
sheriffs  held  their  courts.  "They  [the  lawj'ers]  follow  Sises  and 
Sessions,  Letes,  Lawdays  and  Hundredes."  Latimer,  vii  Ser.  ^;^, 
Arber.  I^etes^=^io\wr\  courts  :  kundredes  =  co\xvt?>  for  the  hundreds. 
The  fact  that  Lawdaj^s,  or  days  upon  which  terms  of  court  opened, 
were  usually  determined  by  the  festivals  of  the  church,  would 
facilitate  this  confusion.  "  It  was  ordered  by  the  laws  of  King  Ed- 
ward the  Confessor,  that  from  Advent  to  the  octave  of  the  Epipha- 

9 


I30  NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOQUE. 

nj,  from  Septuagesima  to  the  octave  of  Easter,  from  the  Ascension 
to  the  octave  of  Pentecost,  and  from  three  in  the  afternoon  of 
all  Saturdays  till  Monday  morning,  the  peace  of  God  and  of 
holy  church  shall  be  kept  throughout  all  the  kingdom.  And  so 
extravagant  was  afterwards  the  regard  that  was  paid  to  these 
holy  times  that  .  .  .  Britton  is  express  that  in  the  reign  of  King 
Edward  the  First  no  secular  plea  could  be  held,  nor  any  man 
sworn  on  the  Evangelists  in  the  times  of  Advent,  Lent,  Pente- 
cost, harvest  an'd  vintage,  the  days  of  the  great  litanies,  and  all 
solemn  festivals.  But  he  adds  that  the  bishops  did  nevertheless 
grant  dispensations  .  .  .  that  assizes  and  juries  might  be  taken 
in  some  of  these  holy  seasons.  .  .  .  The  portions  of  time  that 
were  not  included  within  these  prohibited  seasons  fell  naturally 
into  a  fourfold  division,  and,  from  some  festival  day  that  im- 
mediately preceded  their  commenceinent,  were  denominated  the 
Terms  of  St.  Hilary,  of  Easter,  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  of  St. 
Michael.  .  .  .  There  are  in  each  of  these  terms  stated  days  called 
days  in  ba)ik ;  that  is,  days  of  appearance  in  the  court  of  coinmon 
bench.  They  are  generally  at  the  distance  of  about  a  week  from 
each  other,  and  have  reference  to  some  festival  of  the  church. 
On  some  one  of  these  days  in  bank  all  original  writs  must  be 
made  returnable.  .  .  .  But  on  every  return  day  in  the  term  the 
person  summoned  has  three  days  of  grace,  beyond  the  day 
named  in  the  writ,  in  which  to  make  his  appearance."  Black- 
stone,  iii.  276. 

259.  Uier^=  on  such  occasions;  i.e.,  in  putting  in  pleas. 
There,  being  the  dative  of  the  demonstrative,  may  mean  either 
itt  that  flace,  or  at  that  time. 

261.  maister,  chief,  or  head  of  a  religious  house. 

263.  That  rounded,  &c.  =  that  kept  its  shape  round  as  a  bell 
in  a  press  or  throng,  —  alluding  to  the  shortness  of  the  garment, 
which,  upon  the  full  figure  of  the  friar,  resembled  a  bell;  and  to 
the  quality  and  abundance  of  the  material,  which  kept  its  shape 
even  in  a  press  or  crowd. 

265.  To  make  his  Englissch  szvete,  &c.  To  those  ecclesiastics 
whose  native  language  was  French  the  English  must  have 
seemed  harsh.  We  have  rendered  it  much  smoother  than  it 
was  in  the  time  of  Chaucer  by  silencing  the  gutturals. 

266.  i^«;-^j';/_^  probably  =  playing  on  any  musical  instrument. 
See  line  236. 

268.  don,  pi.  for  doen.  This  use  of  do  is  common,' but  improper 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  131 

Do  can  be  used  in  place  of  the  verb  only  by  ellipsis,  in  which 
case  the  verb  omitted  can  be  restored  from  the  preceding  clause. 
We  evidently  cannot  say  "do  twinkled,"  but  we  can  say  "We 
love  because  you  do."  Originally  do  could  only  be  followed  by 
the  infinitive;  we  have  relaxed  the  rule  so  as  further  to  allow 
the  infinitive  to  be  suggested  by  a  diflferent  mode.  The  force  of 
this  rule  is,  that  do  must  not  be  employed  as  an  auxiliary  and  as 
a  leading  verb  in  the  same  sentence. 

269.  cleped,  called,  monosyllable.  Still  retained  in  archaic 
English  in  the  p.  participle  j'c/c//. 

270.  forked  herd.  A  forked  beard  was  the  fashion  at  this 
time. 

271.  high  on  kors^=&\'Qci  upon  his  horse;  cf.  "He  carries  a 
high  head."  We  say  "on  foot  "or  "a-foot;"  but  07i  horse  is 
obsolete.  We  use  the  preposition  with  the  gerund  with  the  omis- 
sion of  the  article  or  relative  word,  as  a-huntuig. 

272.  c/(7^5e(f=  clasped.  Connected  with  c//^,  to  embrace.  The 
word  clip  is  still  used  to  denote  an  iron  passing  around  the  axle 
of  a  wagon.  The  tendency  to  shift  the  position  of  the  letter  s 
appears  in  A. S. ;  e.g.,  asce^  or  «c5^,  ashes ;  ascian  or  acsia7i,\.o 
ask,  which  is  still  vulgarly  pronounced  ax. 

/aire  and  fetysly^=WQ\\  and  neatly. 

275.  "  Always  having  reference  to  the  increase  of  his  gains." 
Sownynge  =  ho2i?>\\ng,  sounding-^  having  reference  to  ;  cf.  the 
legal  phrase  "  Sounding  in  damages." 

tkencres  =  th&  increase.  The  article  (definitive)  frequently 
coalesces  with  the  defined  word  when  such  word  begins  with  a 
vowel.  The  case  endings  of  nouns  were  originally  definitive 
words,  which  have  coalesced  with  the  stem  form,  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  verbal  endings,  which  were  originally  pronouns, 
have  become  attached  to  the  stem.  So  long  as  the  original  force 
of  these  endings  is  felt,  the  subjects  of  verbs,  when  pronouns,  are 
omitted,  and  definitive  words  are  in  like  manner  omitted  in  the 
case  of  nouns.  In  Early  Saxon  there  is  no  article;  in  Early 
English  it  is  quite  sparingly  used  :  but  when  the  real  force  of 
the  inflectional  endings  was  lost,  the  article  and  other  definitive 
words  have  been  introduced  to  supply  their  place.  From  this 
tendency  to  unite  the  article  and  noun  in  pronunciation,  —  a 
sort  of  inflection  at  the  beginning  of  the  word,  —  several  curious 
forms  have  arisen;  e.g.,  nonce,  the  initial  n  being  the  ace.  ter- 
mination of  the  article  ;  so  also,  nokcs  (oaks),  nale  (ale).    But  one 


132  NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

of  the  most  curious  instances  is  the  Turkish  name  for  Constan- 
tinople,—  Siamboid,  which  is  a  corruption  of  the  Greek  dq  rfjv 
7roAiy=  to  the  citj.  The  Turks  frequently  hearing  this  phrase, 
and  not  knowing  its  meaning,  quite  naturally  took  it  to  be  the 
name  of  the  city. 

276.  'zvere  kept^=\\&  wished  the  sea  to  be  watched  or  guarded 
"  so  that  he  should  not  suffer  from  pirates  or  privateers."     M. 

for  e?iy  t/ii?ige  =  ixt  all  hazards,  by  all  means.  For  here  has 
the  meaning  m  comparison  tvit/i,  in  preference  to.  He  wished 
the  sea  to  be  guarded  in  preference  to  any  thing  else.  Morris, 
however,  explains  for  by  for  fear  of  which  does  not  seem  to 
me  satisfactory. 

277.  MiddelburgJi,  a  port  in  the  Netherlands. 
Orewelle,  a  port  in  Essex. 

278.  "  He  knew  how  to  give  French  crowns  in  exchange ; "  that 
is,  to  act  as  a  money-changer,  a  class  of  extortioners. 

5c>^t'e/^e5  =  shillings  (skieldings).  French  crowns  marked 
with  a  shield. 

279.  /lis  xvit  bisette=^  employed  his  wits.  Wit  is  here  used 
somewhat  as  we  still  use  the  word  to  denote  the  mental  faculties, 
but  with  a  dash  of  contempt,  as  though  they  were  put  to  an  un- 
worthy use ;  cf.  "A  clerk  had  beset  his  while,"  Millere's  Tale, 
=  A  clerk  had  employed  his  time. 

280.  JVo  man  iviste,  &c.,  a  fine  stroke  of  description. 

281.  "So  stately  was  he  in  his  demeanor  in  his  bargains, 
and  in  making  his  arrangements  for  borrowing  money."  Mor- 
ris explains  so  steadily,  probably  an  error  of  the  press.  The  idea 
is  that  he  had  such  a  confident  air  that,  even  when  borrowing 
money,  no  man  suspected  that  he  was  in  debt. 

282.  bargayns.  "  O.  Fr.  barguigner,  to  chaflfer,  bargain,  or 
more  properly  (says  Cotgrave)  to  wrangle,  haggle,  brabble,  in 
the  making  of  a  bargain.  The  proper  meaning  of  the  word  is 
contest,  debate,  and  it  was  frequently  used  in  O.K.  and  Scotch 
in  the  sense  of  fight,  skirmish."     Wedgwood. 

283.  zvit/ialle,  in  spite  of  all,  nevertheless.  The  original  force 
of  with  =  against,  which  is  still  retained  in  compounds;  e.g., 
zuithstand,  -vithhold.  Withalle  is  simply  an  emphatic  form  of 
with,  and  will  vary  in  meaning  as  with  varies. 

284.  But  introduces  an  unexpected  clause  :  one  would  expect 
that  being  a  worthy  man  his  name  would  be  known. 

J not^^^l  ne  wot.     I  know  not.     The  negative  frequently  com- 


NOTES    TO    THE   PROLOGUE.  1 33 

bines  with  the  following  word;  as,  nam^^  ne  am,  »a5  =  ne  was, 
nath^=  ne  hath,  nolde  ^  ne  wolde. 

me?t  /iim  calle^^wh^Li  one  might  call  him, — what  his  name 
was. 

285.  Clerk  =  a  scholar,  an  educated  person.  This  word 
affords  an  admirable  illustration  of  the  changes  which  the 
meaning  of  a  word  undergoes  corresponding  to  certain  changes 
in  the  objects  designated  by  it.  Clerk  is  originally  the  Greek 
KhjpiKog, —  literally,  chosen  by  lot.  It  was  in  very  early  times 
applied  to  the  clergy,  because,  as  is  supposed,  Matthias  was  thus 
selected  to  be  an  Apostle.  The  word  clergy  is  the  same  word 
derived  through  the  Latin  clericatus.  During  the  Middle  Ages 
the  ecclesiastics  were  possessed  of  all  the  learning  in  the  world,  so 
that  the  word  clerk  became  synonymous  with  learned  person ; 
and,  as  the  estimation  of  learning  fell,  it  signified  any  one  who 
could  read;  while  clergie  was  used  to  denote  learning,  or  men  of 
learning.  The  word  now  signifies  one  whose  chief  employment 
is  writing,  or  an  attendant  in  a  store,  probably  because  writing 
was  deemed  an  accomplishment  essential  to  a  shop-keeper,  in 
keeping  his  accounts. 

Oxoiford  =^  Oxford,  "as  if  the  ford  of  the  oxen  (A  S.  Oxjia- 
ford),  but  the  root  ox  (esk,  oiise)  is  of  Celtic  origin,  and  signifies 
ivater.'"     M.     Oxenford  therefore  means  "the  ford  of  the  (river) 
Ouse." 

286.  That  unto  logic,  &c.  Who  for  a  long  time  had  given  his 
attention  to  logic  Literally,  who  had  gone  into  logic,  &c. 
We  stiW  speak  of  going  into  law  or  any  other  profession.  The 
condition  in  which  the  study  left  the  student  is  a  satire  upon  the 
method  of  teaching  logic  then  in  vogue. 

286.  He ;  that  is,  the  Clerk. 

288.  right  fat^=^  very  fat.  This  use  of  right  is  a  vulgarism  at 
present,  or  confined  to  colloquial  use.  We  say  "  right  oft'," 
"right  away."  "A  Southerner  would  say,  'It  rains  right 
hard.'"     Bartlett's  Diet. 

291.  gctcn,  p.p.  =  gotten,  got. 

hitn,  dative  =  for  himself. 

be)iefice=^?^x\  ecclesiastical  living.  This  word  is  the  same  with 
benefit  (Lat  bene,  facere^,  and  originally  signified  an  estate  in 
lands  granted  for  life  only,  and  held  at  the  good-will  of  the 
owner.  It  afterwards  technically  signified  the  grant  of  temporal 
authority  hy  the  Pope  as  a  fee  of  the   Roman   see.     Finally, 


134  NOTES  TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

upon  the  extinction  of  feudalism,  it  was  restricted  to  religious 
livings. 

292.  50  wo;'/<//y  =  sufficiently  worldly:  so  is  here  equivalent 
to  so  as. 

293.  For  him  ivas  lever,  &c.  =  For  he  would  rather  have. 
Literally,  it  was  more  agreeable  to  him  to  have,  him,  dative 
after  lever. 

294.  Scan  :  Twen  |  ty  book  |  es  clad  |  &c.  Twetity  was  prob- 
ably pronounced  t'  wenty. 

296.  T/ie}i^=  than,  ace.  of  the  definitive;    cf.  Lat.  qtcam. 
5(7zyi';'/e=  psaltery,  a  Greek  instrument  of  music;  cf.  psalm, 

a  hymn  to  be  sung  to  the  psaltery. 

297.  al  be  =  although  it  be;  for  al  be  it,  usually  written  as 
one  word,  albeit.  Sometimes  we  find  al  standing  for  this  expres- 
sion. Be  is  here  in  the  subjunctive,  which  accounts  for  the 
omission  of  though.  "Albeit  I  do  not  say  to  thee."  Phile- 
mon, 19. 

fhilosophre.  There  is  a  play  here  upon  the  word  philoso- 
pher, which  was  used  to  designate  an  alchemist,  who  pretended 
to  turn  base  metals  into  gold  by  the  so-called  "Philosopher's 
Stone,"  as  well  as  a  lover  of  learning,  a  student. 

298.  hadde,  which  is  usually  a  monosyllable,  is  here  a  dis- 
syllable. 

299.  ofhisfrendcs=^^\'om  his  friends,  genitive  of  source. 

301.  gan  preye  =  prayed,  did  pray.  Gau  is  a  contraction  of 
begau,  and  is  used  as  a  past  auxiliary. 

302.  gay  him  =  gave  to  him.  him,  dative.  It  w^s  not 
unusual  at  this  time  for  students  to  support  themselves  at  the 
universities  by  begging. 

■zvherTvith  =  with  what.  This  word  is  still  in  use  in  this 
sense,  and  finely  exhibits  the  pi-onominal  force  of  xvhere  (dative 
of  ivhaf)  after  the  preposition  -with. 

306.  high  se?tte7ice  ^=^  o(  great  pith  or  meaning. 

307.  sozvnv7ige  in  moral  vertu  =  in  consonance  with  moral 
virtue.  The  word  consonance  preserves  the  figure,  and  perhaps 
gives  the  sense  more  accurately  than  the  usual  explanation  tend- 
ing to,  which  would  have  reference  to  the  hearers,  rather  than  to 
the  revelation  of  the  speaker's  virtue;  cf.  note,  1.  275. 

moral,  from  the  Latin  mos,  manner,  custom,  habit,  passes  to 
the  meaning  correct  manners,  and  right  habits,  —  that  which 
ought  to  be  as  well  as  that  which  is. 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  135 

308.  This  line  aptly  describes  the  true  scholar. 

309.  A  Sergeant  of  Laxve  ^=  ■a.  lawyer  of  the  highest  rank. 
**The  degrees  were  those  of  barristers  (first  styled  apprentices, 
from  apprendrc  to  learn),  who  answered  to  our  bachelors;  as 
the  state  and  degree  of  a  serjeant,  servientis  ad  legem^  did  to 
that  of  doctor."  Blackstone,  i.  23.  Sergeant  is  another  form 
of  servant,  g  in  French  words  frequently  becoming  'w  ox  v  in 
English. 

ivar  and  tvyse  =  cautious  and  skilful. 

310.  T/iat  =  who. 

Parvys.  The  portico  of  St.  Paul's,  where  the  lawyers  were 
accustomed  to  meet  for  consultation.  The  frequency  of  his  being 
at  these  consultations  indicates  his  reputation  and  his  practice. 

311.  Ther.  Used  to  introduce  the  sentence.  It  refers  to  the 
subject  already  mentioned. 

312.  of  gret  reverence  =  Vi  person  to  whom  great  reverence 
was  shown,  entitled  to  great  respect  for  his  opinions.  Genitive 
of  quality  or  characteristic. 

313.  He  semede  such  =  He  appeared  like  a  learned  lawyer. 

314.  Justice  .  .  .  in  assize.  "  The  judges  upon  their  circuits 
now  sit  by  virtue  of  five  several  authorities.  ...  4.  A  commission 
of  assize,  directed  to  the  justices  and  Serjeants  therein  named,  to 
take  (together  with  their  associates)  assizes  in  the  several 
counties."  Blackstone,  i.  59.  These  assizes  tried  real-estate 
questions. 

315.  patent  signifies  any  letter  open  to  public  perusal,  or 
addressed  to  the  public.  A  document  conferring  nobility  is 
called  Letters-patent  of  Nobility.  In  this  country  a  document 
conveying  full  title  to  lands  by  the  government,  or  granting  an 
exclusive  right  to  an  invention,  is  called  a  patent.  Patent  here 
refers  to  his  commission  as  serjeant;  commission,  to  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  assize. 

317.  fees  =  money.  This  word  originally  signified  cattle 
(cf.  Lat.  pecunia  from  pecus)  ;  then,  as  cattle  were  used  as  a 
medium  of  exchange,  it  signified  money  or  the  means  of  ex- 
change; and  as  cattle  generally  constituted  a  person's  property, 
it  also  signified  property  in  general,  whether  cattle  or  not. 
Cattle  being  used  in  early  times  as  a  medium  of  exchange,  it 
would  seem  from  a  passage  in  ^Eschylus,  Ag.  36,  that  the  value 
of  coined  money  was  at  first  regulated  by  the  better  known  value 
of  cattle. 


13^  NOTES  TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

"Moreover  King  Servius,  at  the  firste,  when  he  made  brazen 
coine,  stamped  the  peeces  with  the  portraiture  of  Sheepe,  Kine  and 
Oxen."     Holland's  Plinie,  I.  550. 

318.  ^//rc>^«5c?z^r  =  prosecutor.  Probably  refers  to  his  acts  as 
king's  counsel. 

319.  fee  5y;;?//^  =  possession  without  restriction.  Fee  origin- 
ally denoting  property,  —  that  to  which  one  had  the  right  of 
possession,  —  naturally  came  to  have  the  meaning  of  possession  ; 
simple  (Lat.  sine  j)lica^  without  a  fold)  means  without  any  com- 
plications :  hence  fee  symj^le  would  mean  possession  or  a  title, 
without  any  of  the  many  complications  to  which  real-estate  titles 
in  England  are  often  subject.  These  courts  of  assizes  were  held 
for  the  purpose  of  trying  landed  questions,  and  the  meaning  here 
is,  "No  title  was  to  him  more  difficult  of  decision  than  a  case  in 
fee-simple." 

320.  His  fiirchasyng,  8zc.  "  His  prosecutions  might  not  be 
tainted  with  any  suspicion  of  collusion."  M.  enfecle,  as  a  legal 
phrase,  means  to  contaminate  with  any  illegality. . 

323.  lu  tcnnes=^ai  the  sessions  of  the  court.     See  note,  1.  258. 
Caas  and  domes  alle  =  He  had  full  knowledge  of  all  the  cases 

and  decisions  rendered  in  the  courts  from  the  time  of  King  Wil- 
liam ;  i.e.,  William  the  Conqueror,  a.d.  1066. 

324.  ifjcre  falle  =  were  fallen  or  happened.  Intransitives 
often  form  an  aorist  perfect  with  the  auxiliary  de.  "  When  he 
was  set."  Matt.  v.  2  (A.V.).  "When  he  hadde  sete."  lb.; 
Wiclif. 

fane  =  happened.  "  Sit  still  until  thou  know  how  the  matter 
will  fall."     Ruth  iii.  18. 

325.  endive  =  tell  a  story. 

make  a  i/ii}zg-=^\VY\ie  a  poem.  "A  poet  is  as  much  as  to  say 
a  maker.  And  our  English  name  well  conformes  with  tl.e  Greeke 
word;  for  of  iroidv,  to  make,  they  call  a  maker  poeta."  Putten- 
ham's  Arte  of  Poesy,  cap.  i  (Arber).  Prof.  Earle,  Philology 
of  the  English  Tongue,  p.  200,  certainly  against  the  weight  of 
authority,  explains  this  line  thus  :  "  In  such  a  sense  it  is  said  by 
Chaucer  that  his  Sergeaunt  of  Lawe  could  endite  and  make  a 
THYNG,  meaning,  he  could  make  a  good  contract,  was  a  good 
conveyancer."     Cf.   Ger.  dino-cn,  to  bargain. 

327.  ;pleyn  by  I'oote,  plead  from  memory. 

328.  hooinly^  dressed  plainly,  in  the  manner  one  would  be 
dressed  at  home.  The  word  implies  the  absence  of  ornament, 
and  is  analogically  applied  to  the  features. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  137 

329.  Gird=g\\-ded.  Chaucer  frequently  contracts  the  preter- 
ites of  verbs  ending  in  d  or  /. 

330.  telle  I  no  leiiger  tale  =  I  make  no  further  account. 
"  Litel  tale  hath  he  told  Of  eny  drem."  Nonne  Preestes  Tale, 
298.  Little  account  made  he  of  any  dream.  Telle  and  tale  are 
from  A.S.  iellatiy  to  reckon, 

331.  Fra?ikeley?i  ^=^  ^  wealthy  freeholder;  the  only  real  dis- 
tinction between  him  and  others  of  his  class  being  the  largeness 
of  his  estate. 

332.  dayeseye  =  d^\^y  :  literally  ^rtj ''5  eye,  Chaucer's  favorite 
flower;  upon  the  etymology  of  which  he  dwells  with  a  lover's 
fondness. 

"Now  have  I  than  eke  this  condicioun 
That  of  alle  the  floures  in  the  mede, 
Than  love  I  most  those  floures  white  and  rede. 
Such  that  men  callen  daisies  in  our  toun." 

Legende  of  Goode  Women,  40. 
"The  longe  day  I  shope  me  for  to  abide 
For  nothing  elles,  and  I  shall  nat  lie 
But  for  to  look  upon  the  daisie 
That  wel  by  reason  men  it  calle  maie 
The  Daisie  or  els  the  eye  of  the  day." 

lb.,  iSo. 
"  Those  who  transferred  the  title  to  our  little  field  flower 
meant  no  doubt  to  liken  its  inner  yellow  disk  or  shield  to  the 
great  golden  orb  of  the  sun,  and  the  white  florets  which  encircle 
this  disk  to  the  rays  which  the  sun  spreads  on  all  sides  round 
him."     Trench,  St.  of  Words,  44. 

334.  Scan  :  Wel  lov  |  ede  h'in  |  the  mor  |  w'  a  sop  |  in  wyn. 
sop  171  wyn,  bread  dipped  in  wine.     Bacon  says  that  sops  in 

wine    inebriate,    quantity   for   quantity,    more   than  wine  itself, 
which  probably  accounts  for  the  Frankeleyn's  fondness. 

335.  To  lyven  in  dclite=^\.o  live  in  luxury.  "The  gratification 
of  the  appetite  for  food  is  the  most  direct  and  universal  of  all 
pleasures,  and  therefore  the  one  most  likely  to  be  taken  as  the 
type  of  delight  in  general."     Wedgwood. 

336.  o-ixme  is  used  to  heighten  the  idea  of  personal  relation. 
The  verbs  to  ovjn  and  to  ozve  are  generally  referred  to  the  same 
root.  A.S.  agan  (cf.  Gr.  Ix^lv').  The  original  verb  took  diff"erent 
forms  to  express  different  meanings,  — the  one  denoting  pecun- 
iary liability,  the  other  moral  obligation.     "It  may  sound  odd 


138  NOTES    TO    TEE  PROLOGUE. 

to  speak  of  a  man  as  ozvnmg  y^h^t  he  ozves  ;  jet,  if  we  will  think 
of  it,  there  are  few  things  that  can  rightly  be  said  to  be  more  a 
man's  own  than  his  debts  :  thej  are  emphatically  ^ro^t^r  to  him, 
or  his  proJ)criy,  clinging  to  him,  as  they  do,  like  a  part  of  him- 
self. Again,  that  which  a  man  owns  in  this  sense,  or  oives,  is 
that  which  it  is  proper  for  him,  or  which  he  has,  to  perform  or 
to  discharge  (as  the  case  may  be)  ;  hence  the  secondary  mean- 
ing of  ought  as  applied  to  that  which  is  one's  duty,  or  which  is 
fitting."     Craik,  E.  of  S.,  p.  134. 

337.  pleyn  delyt=  perfect  physical  enjoyment. 

339.  afid  that^  emphatic  conjunction, — that  particularizing 
and  thus  emphasizing  the  added  notion  ;  cf.  Lat.  cumque.  See 
note,  1.  43. 

340.  Sey/it  jfulia?! ''' vf?is  eminent  for  providing  his  votaries 
with  good  lodgings  and  accommodations  of  all  sorts.  In  the 
title  of  his  Legende,  he  is  called  'St.  Julian  the  gode  herberjour' 
(entertainer)."     T. 

341.  rt/zy«>' ^//er  <?(?;/  =  always  the  same;  i.e.,  that  is  always 
equally  good. 

342.  envyned=  stored  with  wine.  Vi7ic  is  from  the  French, 
and  whie  from  the  A.S.  It  is  instructive  that  all  the  words  which 
denote  the  culture  of  the  vine  are  of  French,  while  words  refer- 
ring to  the  product  are  of  A.S.  origin. 

343.  Scan  :  Without  |  e  bake  j  mete  was  |  never'  [  his  hous. 
Bake^=^bake7i=hi)i\ied.     The  p.p.  ending  in  n  dropped. 

345.  Hit  =^  it.,  —  the  old  form  of  the  neuter  pronoun. 
Snezvede,  pr.  of  suee,  Pro  v.  Eng.,  to  abound.    This  is  usually 

explained  as  a  pret.  of  s?i07v. 

victe  and  drynke,  gen.  of  means. 

346.  deyfitecs,  toothsome  rarities,  delicacies.    W.  daint,  a  tooth. 

347.  ^y?er=  according  to.  "Comfort  us  again  now  after 
[in  proportion  to]  the  time  that  thou  hast  plagued  us."  Ps.  xc. 
15,  Prayer-Book. 

348.  mete  —  soper.  Mete  refers  to  food  in  general.  Sopcr  to 
delicacies  or  dessert. 

350.  brcm. 

"  Lazy  as  the  bream 
Whose  only  business  is  to  head-up  the  stream, 
(We  call  'em  punkin-seedj."     Lowell. 
stewe,  a  small  pond  in  which  fish  were  kept  for  the  table. 

351.  Woo  was  his  cook=  wo  was  it  to  his  cook,  &c.     "  Woe  is 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  139 

me."  Is.  vi.  5.  His  cook  must  here  be  construed  in  the  dative, 
after  an  interjection.  "  Wa  tham  men."  Wo  to  the  man.  Matt, 
xviii.  7;  cf.  Lat.  vae  victis.  See  March,  A.S.  Gr.,  §  29S  {b). 
Morris  explains,  erroneously,  as  it  seems  to  me,  '•  sad  was  his 
cook."'  This  explanation  is  faulty,  as  it  describes  the  cook, 
while  the  other  keeps  before  us  the  angry  Frankeleyn. 

but  //=if-not;  if  being  the  true  conjunction,  the  but  used  to 
negative  the  whole  sentence. 

sauce.  The  Frankeleyn,  being  a  high  liver,  would  be  fond 
of  a  highly  seasoned  sauce.  This  item  became  so  expensive 
that,  in  the  time  of  Edward  III.,  a  statute  was  passed  prohibit- 
ing {i?iter  alia)  the  use  of  sauce  unless  it  could  be  procured  at  a 
moderate  cost. 

353.  table  dormant.  "  Previous  to  the  fourteenth  century  a 
pair  of  common  wooden  trestles  and  a  rough  plank  was  deemed 
a  table  sufficient  for  the  great  hall.  .  .  .  Tables  with  a  board 
attached  to  a  frame  were  introduced  about  the  time  of  Chaucer, 
and  from  remaining  in  the  hall  were  regarded  as  indications  of  a 
ready  hospitality."     Our  Eng.  Home,  quoted  by  Morris. 

table  is  the  Lat.  tabula^  a  board;  board  is  the  A.S.  word 
(meaning  an  edge,  a  border)^  which  is  still  in  use  to  denote 
rather  the  uses  of  the  article  than  the  article  itself;  e.g.,  "  board 
and  lodging,"  "  bed  and  board,"  "  a  hospitable  board."  The  use 
of  the  word  derived  fi-om  the  French  to  designate  the  article  of 
furniture  indicates  the  origin  of  the  table. 

354.  covered ;  i.e.,  set  with  food. 

355.  sessiouns ;  i.e.,  of  the  court.  "The  freeholders  of  the 
county  are  the  real  judges  in  this' [county]  court,  and  the  sheriff 
is  the  ministerial  officer.  ...  In  those  times  [Edward  the 
Elder]  the  countj'  court  was  a  court  of  great  dignity  and  splen- 
dour, the  bishop  and  the  earldorman  (or  earl)  with  the  principal 
men  of  the  shire  sitting  therein  to  administer  justice."  Black- 
stone,  iii.  36. 

356.  knight  of  the  schire  =  a  representative  of  a  county  in  Par- 
liament. '-The  knights  of  the  shire  shall  be  chosen  of  people 
whereof  every  man  shall  have  freehold  to  the  value  of  forty  shil- 
lings by  the  year  within  the  county.  .  .  .  The  knights  of  shires 
are  the  representatives  of  the  landholders  or  landed  interest  of 
the  kingdom."     Blackstone,  i.  172. 

"  Shire  is  a  district  in  England  as  it  is  separated  from  the  rest; 
a  share  is  a  portion  of  any  thing  thus  divided  off;  shears  are  in« 


140  NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE. 

struments  effecting  this  process  of  separation;  the  shore  is  the 
place  where  the  continuity  of  land  is  interrupted  or  separated  by 
the  sea  [better  perhaps  shore  refers  to  the  sharing  off  or  sloping 
of  the  bank;  a  common  provincial  name  for  a  gutter  is  a  shore^  ; 
2i  shred  is  that  which  is  sheared  or  shorn  from  the  main  piece; 
a  sherd,  — as  a  potsherd  (also  pot-share,  Spenser),  — that  which 
is  broken  off  and  thus  divided  from  the  vessel."  Trench  on 
Words,  218.     Cf.  also  short,  skirt,  shirt. 

359>  sc/^/rrez'e  =  sheriff,  i.e.,  reeve  of  the  shire  or  county. 
A.S.  gerefa,  Ger.  Graf.  "  He  [the  sheriff]  is  the  first  man  in 
the  county,  and  superior  in  rank  to  any  nobleman  therein  dur- 
ing his  office."     Blackstone,  i.  343. 

coimtoiir^=^^\x6\.\.o\',  —  one  appointed  to  manage  the  fiscal 
concerns  of  the  county.  The  former  office  indicates  his  popu- 
larity, this  his  reputation  for  honesty. 

361.  Haberdassher.  "  Haberdashers  were  of  two  kinds,  — 
haberdashers  of  small  wares,  sellers  of  needles,  tapes,  buttons, 
&c.,  and  haberdashers  of  hats.  The  first  of  these  would  be  well 
explained  from  O.N.  hapurtask,  trumpery,  things  of  trifling 
value.  .  .  .  The  haberdasher  of  hats  seems  named  from  some 
kind  of  stuff  called  hapertas,  of  which  probably  hats  were  made." 
Wedgwood. 

Carpetiter^=?i  worker  in  wood.  This  word  is  from  the  Latin, 
through  the  French.  Lat.  carpentarius  irova  carpentum.,  a  wagon, 
—  literally,  a  wagon-maker,  hence  a  worker  in  wood :  so  we 
have  house-carpenter,  ship-carpenter,  &c. 

362.  lVelfde=^  a  weaver  (masculine);  %vebster  would  be  the 
feminine  :  there  is,  however,  a  confusion  in  the  use  of  the  termi- 
nations,—  either  word  being  used  to  denote  either  sex. 

363.  /yz'^re'  =  livery.  Livery  denotes  what  was  delivered  by 
the  lord  to  his  subordinates,  whether  it  were  money,  food,  or 
clothing.  As  regards  clothing,  it  hence  easily  came  to  denote 
external  marks  of  distinction,  whether  of  servants,  officers,  or 
tradesmen.  As  regards  food,  it  came  to  denote  an  allowance  of 
food  for  horses,  and  thus  a  place  where  horses  were  kept.  The 
acctnt  shows  the  word  to  be  still  considered  as  French. 

Scan  :  Weren  with  |  us  eek  ]  clothed  in  |  00  lyv  |  er6. 

364.  yratemite  ^=  guild.  Each  trade  had  its  guild  (Dan.  gilda, 
feast,  see  note,  1.  370)  supported  by  a  tax  levied  upon  the  mem- 
bers. These  guilds  were  incorporated  by  the  government  and 
exercised  great  influence.     These  mechanics  v(^ere  masters* 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  141 

365.  apiked='ke^t  very  neat.  The  word  probably  denotes 
that  nicety  of  cleansing  indicated  hy  pickifig  off  particles  with 
the  fingers.     "  Too  \nwc\\  pi ckediiess  is  not  manly."     B.  Jonson. 

366.  knyfes.  As  the  gentleman  had  a  dagger  (1.  357)  the 
master-mechanics  wore  knives. 

t'-c/iapcd=  fitted  with  silver  hooks  to  the  scabbard.  The  noun 
chape  is  used  by  Shakspeare. 

367.  silver'  The  fact  that  the  scabbards,  «S:c.,  worn  by  these 
mechanics  were  trimmed  with  silver,  indicates  that  they  were  of 
a  superior  estate. 

Wrought  fill  c/c«e  =  wrought  very  delicately;  of  fine  work- 
manship. 

368.  pouches.  The  French  form  {pocke)  of  an  A.S.  word 
pocca,  which  we  still  use  as  poke ;  cf.  "  Buy  a  pig  in  a  poke,'' 
i.e.,  pocket.  Pocket  is  a  French  diminutive  of  poke.  The  verb 
poach  is  from  the  French  form  ;  e.g.,  "  to  poach  eggs  "  =  to  cook 
them  in  a  small  dish  like  a  pocket;  to  poach,  i.e.,  to  rob  game  = 
to  put  it  in  a  pocket.  The  verb  to  poke,  and  the  noun  poke,  de- 
noting a  contrivance  worn  by  animals  to  prevent  their  breaking 
out  of  an  enclosure,  is  from  another  root,  allied  to  Lat.  pungcre, 
to  prick. 

370.  yeldehalle=?i.  Guild-hall.  "The  primary  meaning  [of 
guild]  is  a  feast,  then  the  company  assembled;  and  the  same 
transference  of  signification  will  be  observed  in  the  word  com- 
pany itself,  which,  signifying  in  the  first  instance  a  number  of 
persons  eating  together,  has  come  to  be  applied  to  an  association 
for  any  purpose."     Wedgwood. 

deys  =  dais.  Dais  denotes  first  a  canopy  placed  over  the  heads 
of  persons  of  distinction,  then  the  raised  platform  at  the  end  of 
the  hall  upon  which  sat  persons  of  distinction.  As  the  table 
was  usually  placed  upon  this  platform,  the  term  dais  soon  came 
to  designate  it;  and,  finally',  the  word  included  in  its  significa- 
tion all  the  ornaments  of  such  platform;   as,  hangings,  &c. 

371.  Everych^^  Q.Q.ch.  of  them.  Every  is  now  used  only  as  an 
adjective. 

that  he  can  =  that  he  knows,  —  is  master  of. 

372.  schaply  =  ^t.     From  the  verb  to  shape,  hence  adapted. 

373.  c<7ife/=  property.  "  Our  English  word  cattle  is  derived 
from  the  Low  Latin  catalla,  a  word  of  unknown  etymology,  sig- 
nifying movable  property  generally,  or  what  the  English  law 
calls  chattels."     Marsh,  Lect.  E.L.,  246.     The  origin  of  the  word 


142  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

is  undoubtedly  Lat.  caf>italc,  the  principal  sum  in  a  loan,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  interest,  and  hence  denoting  movable  prop- 
erty.    See  note,  1.  317;    see  also  1.  540. 

/;/!C»«^'^  =  enough.  Go\.\\  gajiohs^  in  which  ^<7  is  the  intensive 
particle,  which  leaves  naich  (Ger.  tiocJi)  stiil,  yet,  as  the  original 
word,  if  this  be  not  an  emphatic  form  of  na  {jiaha7i^  to  suffice)  ; 
cf.  Gr.  valu  —  hpu>  valov  uyyea^  the  pails  were  filled  with  curd.  Od. 
ix.  222. 

rettte  =  \ncovc\e  from  business  or  investments.  See  note,  1. 
256.  They  had  property  enough  to  entitle  them  to  hold  the 
office  of  alderman, 

374.  //,  dative  =  to  it. 

375.  T{;er<?  =  weren,  dissyllable.  Wright  reads  "  hadde  thei 
ben  to  blame." 

to  blame^  blamable.  This  phrase  seems  to  preserve  the  force  of 
the  old  gerund  ;  or  it  may  be  explained,  with  less  reason,  by  the 
identity  of  meaning  of  to  and  at ;  thus,  to  blame  =  at  blame,  at 
fault-     But  it  is  decidedly  better  to  treat  it  as  a  gerund. 

376.  right  fair  =  exceedingly  pleasant. 

inadame,  the  title  used  in  addressing  the  wife  of  one  who  was 
entitled  to  be  called  Sir. 

377.  And  for  to  gon.  In  this  line  I  have  followed  Tyrwhitt's 
reading,  with  which  Wright's  substantially  agrees.  Morris  omits 
"for  to." 

f  ^^//e5  =  vigils  :  a  religious  service  held  on  the  evening  pre- 
ceding an  ecclesiastical  holiday.  Speght  says  :  "It  was  the  man- 
ner in  times  past  upon  festival  evens,  called  vigils,  for  parishioners 
to  meet  in  their  church  -houses  or  church-yards,  and  there  to  have 
a  drinking  fit  for  the  time.  Hither  came  the  wives  in  comely 
manner,  and  they  that  were  of  the  better  sort  had  their  mantles 
carried  with  them,  as  well  as  for  show  as  to  keep  them  from  cold 
at  table." 

al  byfore  =  wholly  before,  before  all ;   in  token  of  rank. 

37S.  riallyche  /-(5c»r^  =  borne  royally,  —  in  regal  style.  Royal 
and  regal  are  the  same  word,  — the  _^  being  softened  to  y.  Re- 
gal comes  directly  from  the  Latin  regalis,  while  roj'al  is  the 
same  derived  through  the  French.  The  difference  in  meaning 
between  these  two  words  illustrates  the  use  we  have  made  of  our 
mixed  vocabulary.  At  present,  use  constantly  narrows  the 
limits  of  a  word,  as  language  requires  greater  definiteness; 
while   in  the  early  stages  of  a  language    the   tendency   seems 


NOTES   TO    THE  PROLOGUE.  143 

to  be   to    enlarge    rather    than    to    restrict   the    signification   of 
words. 

yjc).  for  the  nones  =  {or  the  nonce;  for  the  occasion.  In  this 
instance,  the  sign  of  inflection  «  has  escaped  destruction  by  hid- 
ing in  the  following  word.  The  proper  division  of  the  words 
would  be  "  for  then  once,"  O.E.  for  than  anes.  Then  (tha?i)  is 
for  A.S.  thain  dative.  In  the  following  lines  from  Spenser, 
F.  Q^  vii.  §  14,  the  force  of  once  is  retained  :  — 

"Through  all  three  bodies  he  him  strooke  attonce, 
That  all  the  three  attonce  fell  on  the  plaine 
Else  should  he  thrise  have  needed  for  the  nonce, 
Them  to  have  stricken,  and  thrise  to  have  slaine." 
So  also  we  have  atte  nale  for  at  then  ale  =  at  the  ale.     P.  P.,  vi. 
117.     Atten   cnde   was    also    corrupted    into    at   the    fiende ;  enys 
kynnes  into  eny  shynnes.     The    same    tendency  may   be    seen    in 
alone,  atone,  in  which  the  idea  of  one  is  wholly  lost- 

3S0.  Ci^j'/'«^5  =  chickens.  The  usual  sing,  was  chick,  pi.  chick- 
eti,  like  ox,  oxen;  cow,  kine:  but  we  have  taken  the  plural  as  a 
singular,  and  brought  the  word  into  the  regular  declension  form- 
ing the  plural  in  s. 

3S2.  Londone  ale,  ale  of  the  best  quality. 

383.  roste,  sethe,  broille,frie.  Of  these  words  scthe  and  roste 
are  Saxon;  hroille  3.nd  frie  are  French.  The  names,  of  course, 
indicate  the  origin  of  the  methods  of  cooking.  These  verbs  are 
infinitives  depending  upon  cozvde,  as  is  shown  hy  maken  in  the 
next  line. 

384.  mortreux^=vc\ox\xQ,\i&'s,.  Lord  Bacon  mentions  *' a  mor- 
tress  made  with  the  braun  of  capons  stamped  and  strained." 
The  final  e  is  not  silent  in  bake,  which  is  an  inf. 

38v  it  thouo-hte  me=\i  seemed  to  me,  methought.  There 
were  two  forms  of  this  verb  in  A.S.  :  thincati,  the  intransitive  = 
to  seem;  and  thcncan,  the  transitive  =  to  think.  The  intran- 
sitive verb  has  become  obsolete  except  in  the  expressions  7ne- 
thinks,  methought.  in  which  case  me  is  dative  after  the  impersonal, 
as  also  \%  you  in  '•  if  you  please."  "  The  mone  thingth  the  more 
for  heo  so  ney  ous  is."     Pop.,  Tr.  on  Sc. 

387.  /^or=asto;   considering.     Lat.  ^r<?. 

Blankmanger=^  literally,  white  food.  It  seems  to  have  beeir 
a  different  dish  in  Chaucer's  time  from  that  which  is  now  called 
by  the  same  name  :  capon  minced  was  one  of  the  ingredients. 

with  the  bcste  =  as  well  as  the  best  (cooks). 


144  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

■^^S-  fer  by  ivesie  =z^?[.r  to  the  west  (of  London).  By  (primi- 
tive meaning  near)  has  sometimes  the  force  oi  nearly,  or  towards, 
not  implying  accurate  direction;  cf.  "west  by  north  "^  west 
towards  the  north. 

389.  ought,  usually  spelled  aught. 
jDertejnouth  =  Dart\nouth  (at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Dart),  a 
seaport  in  Devonshire,  on  the  south-west  coast  of  England. 

390.  as  he  couthe  =  as  best  he  might.  A  seaman  does  not  ap- 
pear well  on  horseback.  As  =  according  as.  For  this  use,  see 
Abbott,  Shak.  Gr.,  §  109. 

391.  gozvne  =  gown,  a  blouse.  To  be  pronounced  go-une, 
giving  to  the  w  a  vowel  sound.  See  Abbott's  Shak.  Gr.,  §§  477- 
489. 

392.  laas=  a  belt,  which  passed  over  one  shoulder  and  under 
the  opposite  arm. 

394.  The  hoote  sooner  =  the  hot  summer.  As  the  time  of  the 
pilgrimage  was  in  the  spring,  this  must  refer  to  a  previous 
year.  Wright  says  the  summer  of  135 1  was  long  known  as  the 
hot  dry  summer. 

395.  y^/<7tfe  =  companion  ;  "a  partner  in  goods;  from  _/^, 
money,  goods,  and  lag,  order,  society,  community. 

'  Here  now  make  y  the 

Myn  owne  felow  in  al  wise 

Of  worldly  good  and  merchandise.'  Lydgate." 
Wedgwood.  This  word  retains  its  original  force  in  all  com- 
pounds, as  fellow-sufferers  ;  but  when  used  alone  it  conveys  some- 
thing of  contempt,  —  perhaps  as  a  natural  outgrowth  of  intimacy. 
"The  notion  originally  involved  in  companionship  would  ap- 
pear to  have  been  rather  that  of  inferiority  than  of  equality." 
Craik's  E.  of  Sh.,  345.  In  O.E.  companion  was  used  in  this  same 
contemptuous  sense. 

396  "Very  manj^  a  draught  of  wine  had  he  drawn  (stolen 
away,  or  carried  off)  from  Bordeaux  (cask  and  all)  while  the 
chapman  (merchant  or  supercargo  to  whom  the  wine  belonged) 
was  asleep,  for  he  paid  no  regard  to  any  conscientious  scruples." 
M.  Perhaps,  however,  better  explained  as  alluding  to  a  trick 
even  yet  in  vogue,  of  drawing  off  a  certain  quantity  from  casks 
of  wine  or  other  spirits  while  on  transit,  and  refilling  them  with 
water. 

397.  From  Bordcaux-zvard  =^  on  the  trip  from  Bordeaux. 

398.  7iyce  =  soft  (foolish).     Our  word  nice  seems  to  be  used  as 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  I45 

though  two  distinct  words  had  coalesced,  —  one  derived  from  the 
Latin  nescius,  ignorant;  and  the  other  from  the  A.S  hnesc,  O-E. 
nesk,  tender,  delicate;  and  the  meaning  of  the  word  varies  be- 
tween these  two  significations.  The  original  is  probably,  how- 
ever, the  Anglo-Saxon  form.  We  speak  of  a  nice  sense  of  honor, 
a  nice  discrimination.  The  blending  of  the  notions  of  follj  and 
goodness  is  a  little  remarkable,  but  not  without  its  analogies;  cf. 
silly,  Gg^y.  5(?//'o- =  blessed  :  cf.  also,  "Alia  was  not  so  nice"  — 
foolish.  C.  T.  550S ;  to  make  it  nice  =  to  play  the  fool.  Fr.  niais. 
took  he  no  keep  =  he  took  no  care  of,  —  paid  no  attention  to. 
From  the  fact  that  a  man  cares  for  what  he  possesses,  the  word 
has  passed  from  the  idea  of  care  to  that  of  possession. 

399.  If  that  =  if  so  be  that ;  if  it  happened  that.  See  note,  1. 
144. 

faughte ;  i.e.,  with  pirates. 

400.  By  'cvater  he  sente  hem  hoom ;  i.e.,  he  cast  them  into  the 
sea,  from  which  they  could  find  their  way  to  every  land. 

hoom,  ace.  of  place  where  motion  ends;  used  adverbially. 
Scan  :  By  water  ]  he  s^nte  |  &c. 

401.  But  (adversative)  notwithstanding  these  moral  delin- 
quencies. 

^:^  in  regard  to;  cf.  Shakspeare's  "a  valiant  man  of  his 
hands."  We  still  use  this  idiom,  —  attributive  gen.,  —  as,  "  swift 
of  foot." 

crrty^/  =  calling.  "The  origin  is  seen  in  the  notion  of  seizing, 
expressed  by  the  Italian  graffiare.  The  term  is  then  applied  to 
seizing  with  the  mind."     Wedgwood. 

to  rekjie  ivel  his  tydcs  =  to  calculate  accurately  the  time  of 
the  tides.  We  would  say  the  instead  of  his;  his  restricts  the 
meaning  to  cases  particularly  affecting  the  mariner,  while  the 
would  be  general  in  its  application. 

403.  jno}2e  =  n\oox\\  as  influencing  the  tides,  as  well  as  giving 
light. 

lodemetiage  =  \i\\oi^gQ.,  —  a  compound  of  A.S.  and  French. 

404.  Hulle  =  Hull,  a  seaport  on  the  north-east  of  England. 
"  Hull — well'knowen  bie  reason  of  the  assemblie  marte  of  biers 
and  sellers."     Pol.  Virgil,  i.  5. 

Cartage.  Probably  Carthagena  in  Spain  ;  but  possiblj^  Car- 
thage. 

406.  tempest ^=  ^toY]i\.  The  Lat.  tempos  means:  (i)  a  portion 
of  any  thing;    (2)  a  portion  of  time;    (3)  a  portion  of  a  year,  a 

10 


146  NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE. 

season ;  (4)  a  time  distinguished  by  favorable  or  unfavorable 
circumstances,  —  opportunity  or  danger,  —  hence  the  periods  to 
be  remembered  by  seamen,  as  times  of  storm  ;  and  (5)  the  storm 
itself. 

407.  as  thei  were  =  where  (and  what)  they  were. 
Cf.   "  Here  as  I  point  my  sword  the  sun  arises." 

J.  C,  ii.  I,  106. 

408.  GoofIof2d=  Gothland.      Others  read  Scotland. 

411.  PJiisik.  From  a  Greek  word  signifying  that  which  is 
natural :  in  this  sense  we  use  the  Latin  form  of  the  word  phys- 
ical. As  applied  to  science,  it  denotes  a  knowledge  of  the 
material  world,  and  hence  of  the  human  system,  especially  its 
diseases  and  their  remedies. 

412.  lie  -was  tJier  7ion  him  lyk  =  there  was  none  equal  to  him. 
Him  is  dative.  In  A.S.  (as  still  in  English)  words  denoting 
nearness  and  likeness  are  followed  by  the  dative. 

413.  To  speke  of=  speaking  of;  that  is  to  say,  in  regard  to 
physic,  &c. 

414.  astronomye  =  astrology.  The  ancient  notion,  that  the 
sign  in  which  the  sun  and  other  heavenly  bodies  happened  to 
be  had  a  peculiar  influence  upon  the  human  body,  has  furnished 
the  language  with  many  words;  such  as,  disaster,  i>ijiue?ice, 
jovial,  &c.  Trench  says  that  "  whenever  the  word  influence 
occurs  in  our  English  poetry,  down  to  a  comparatively  modern 
date,  there  is  always  more  or  less  remote  allusion  to  invisible 
illapses,  skyej',  planetary  effects,  supposed  to  be  exercised  hy  the 
heavenly  luminaries  upon  the  lives  of  men."  Eng.  Past  and 
Pres.,  240.  The  same  thing  may  be  familiarly  illustrated  by  the 
retention  of  the  anatomical  diagram  and  the  column  for  the 
moon's  place  still  retaijied  in  most  almanacs. 

416.  kcpte  =  watched,  took  care  of 

417.  houres.  "The  houres  are  the  astrological  hours.  He 
carefully  watched  for  a  favorable  star  in  the  ascendant.  A  great 
portion  of  the  medical  science  of  the  Middle  Ages  depended  upon 
astrological  and  other  superstitious  observances."     Wright. 

Magic  Naturel.  These  practices  are  alluded  to  in  the  "  House 
of  Fame,"  iii.  175  :  — 

"And  clerkes  eke,  which  konne  wel, 
Alle  this  magike  naturel. 
That  craftely  doon  her  ententes 
To  maken  in  certeyn  ascendentes 


NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE.  147 

Images,  lo !  ^hrugh  which  mngike 

To  maken  a  man  ben  hool  or  sike." 
418.  yinagcs.     See  previous  quotation. 

420.  hoot,  Szc,  the  four  humors.  Of  denotes  the  gen.  of 
source. 

423.  i-htiotve  =  known.  The  prefix  ge  had  in  A.S  an  inten- 
sive force,  which  may  have  caused  its  retention  in  certain 
expressions. 

His  harm  =  his  malady  ;  usually  denotes  a  contagious  disease. 

424.  Anon  =  in  one  (instant)  =  immediately. 

"  But  ever  in  oon  y-like  sad  and  kynde." 

C.  T.,  8478. 
5oofe  =  remedy.  From  this  sense  it  gradually  passes  to  the 
idea  of  compensation,  —  making  good  a  loss,  —  as  man-bot  =  t\\e 
penalty  for  killing  a  man.  We  retain  this  force  in  the  colloquial 
expression  to  boot ;  i.e.,  to  compensate  for  the  difference  between 
two  things  to  be  exchanged. 

426.  dragges  =  drugs.  The  original  idea  of  drugs  seems  to 
have  been  something  powdered.  The  O.  Fr.  is  dragee,  which 
had  the  meaning  condiments  or  spices  ;  but  I  think  it  more  likely 
that  this  was  a  secondary  meaning.  Pepys  in  his  Diary,  Feb.  3, 
1665-6,  says,  "  did  carry  home  a  silver  drtidger  for  my  cupboard 
of  plate."  That  is,  a  box  for  spices.  The  dredger  still  in  use  in 
our  kitchen  is  a  vessel  with  a  perforated  cover  to  scatter  condi- 
ments upon  articles  of  food. 

427.  other ;  we  say  the  other. 

425.  Here,  gen.  pi.,  of  them,  their.     A.S.  heora. 
429.  Esculapius,  the  Greek  patron  of  medicine. 

430-434.  The  persons  here  mentioned  were  the  medical 
authorities  of  the  Middle  Ages.  Rufus  was  a  Greek  physician 
of  Ephesus;  Haly,  Serapion,  and  Avicen  were  Arabian  physi- 
cians and  astronomers;  Rhasis  was  a  Spanish  Arab ;  Averroes, 
a  Moor;  Damascen,  an  Arabian;  Constantyn,  a  native  of  Car- 
thage: all  these  flourished  from  the  ninth  to  the  eleventh  cen- 
turies. Bernard  Gordonius.  professor  of  medicine  at  Montpellier, 
lived  about  the  time  of  Chaucer;  Gatesden  was  a  physician  of 
Oxford,  in  the  early  part  of  the  fourteenth  century;  Gilbertvn  is 
Supposed  by  Warton  to  be  the  celebrated  Gilbertus  Anglicus. 
Condensed  from  Wright's  note. 

436.  of  no  SHperJluite.     This  must  be  construed  as  a  genitive 


14^  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

limiting   a   noun;    the  A.S.    attributive   gen.   denoting  quality. 
Cf.   "  a  man  of  means." 

437-  digestible.  Accent  third  syllable  as  in  French.  The  use 
of  this  adjective  indicates  the  qualitative  force  of  the  preceding 
phrases  with  of. 

438.  This  line  affords  a  good  illustration  of  the  manner  in 
which  Chaucer  paints  a  character  with  a  single  stroke. 

439.  sangzvin  and  iti  j)ers,  cloth  of  deep  red  and  bright  blue 
colors. 

440.  taffeta  =  a  fine  smooth  stuff  of  silk  with  a  wavy  lustre. 
sendal=  a  kind  of  thin  rich  silk. 

"  His  stede  with  sa?idelle  of  Frise  was  trapput  to  the  hele." 

Anturs  of  Arthur,  xxx.  9. 
"There  was  mony  gonfanoun  [banner] 
Of  gold  sendel  and  siclatoun." 

Alexander,  1963. 
The  names  of  the  cloths  mentioned  are  French. 

441.  but  esy  of  dispejice  =  hut  moderate  in  his  expenses. 

442.  ///  Pestilence  ;  alluding  to  the  great  pestilence  of  1348-9, 
in  which,  of  course,  his  services  were  in  great  demand. 

443.  gold  in  Phisik.  Erastus,  combating  the  prevailing 
notion,  says,  "  that  gold  makes  the  heart  merry,  but  in  no  other 
sense  but  as  it  is  in  a  miser's  chest."  Burton,  Anat.  Mel.,  P.  2, 
Sec.  4.     Mem.  i.  Subs.  4. 

444.  Tkerfore^=ioY  this  reason:  t/ier  refers  to  the  previous 
statement,  probably  to  be  explained  by  the  remark  of  Erastus 
quoted  above. 

in  special  =  especially. 

445.  of  bvside  Bathe  =  from  a  place  near  Bath. 

446.  skatke  =  misfortune.  We  still  use  the  verb  to  scat/ie, 
and  the  adj.  scatheless.  The  noun  is  used  by  Spenser  and  Shak- 
speare.  In  like  manner  we  have  lost  the  noun  ruth.,  but  we  retain 
the  adj.  ruthless.     Cf.  Ger.   Schade. 

447.  cloth- making.  "The  west  of  England,  and  especially 
the  neighborhood  of  Bath,  was  for  a  long  time  celebrated  for  its 
cloth.  Ypres  and  Ghent  were  the  great  clothing  marts  of  the 
continent."     From  Wright. 

she.     Observe  change  in  orthography. 

449.  parisshe  =  parish.  Parish  is  from  the  French  paroisse., 
from  the  Greek  'napokta,  dwelling  near.     Parishioners  are  liter- 


NOTES   TO    THE    PROLOGUE.  149 

ally  persons  dwelling  near  each  other.  We  preserve  the  Greek 
form  \n  parochial. 

450.  to  the  ofryiig.  "An  allusion  to  the  offering  on  Relic 
Sunday,  when  the  congregation  went  up  to  the  altar  in  succes- 
sion to  kiss  the  relics."     M. 

Schulde  =  ought  =  had  a  right  to  go.  Schuldc  is  here  used 
in  its  original  sense  of  propriety  or  moral  obligation. 

453.  kevcrchefs^==Vc.\'cX\\Q.i%.  Literally,  coverings  for  the  head. 
Our  handkerchief  is  therefore  an  incongruous  word. 

grounde  =  warp,  foundation  ;  i.e.,  not  of  a  cheap  material  in 
the  warp,  covered  with  a  more  costly.  Grund  is  used  similarly 
in  German.     Morris  explains  "of  a  fine  texture." 

ten  poufide,  probably  with  the  ornaments  added. 

457.  Fill  streyt  yteyd,  very  closely  tied. 
schoos  fill  moysie,  soft,  supple;  cf.  1.  203. 

458.  reed  of  hezve  =  of  ruddy  complexion. 

459.  zuorthy  =^0^  high  social  position,  with  no  reference  to 
moral  character.  So  worship  (worthship)  originally  signified 
honor. 

460.  Housebondes  =  husbands.  A.S.  hiisbanda,  from  hus,  house, 
and  banda,  one  dwelling  in  {buan^,  with  the  idea  of  ownership, 
thus  =  house-master.  By  an  easy  transition,  the  word  came  to 
signify  a  married  man.  The  same  word  appears  in  husbandry^ 
where  the  original  force  is  preserved,  —  that  of  dwelling  upon 
the  land  for  the  purpose  of  cultivating  it.  The  word  boor  is 
from  the  root  biean,  and  means  one  occupying  the  land.  The 
common  derivation  from  house  and  bond  is  untenable. 

at  chirche  dore.  The  priest  married  the  couple  at  the  church 
porch. 

Hadde  =  had  had,  plupf. 

461.  Withouten  =  besides;  without  taking  into  account. 

462.  needcth  nought  =  there  is  no  need.  The  subject  of  tieed- 
eth  is  to  speke. 

463.  It  was  considered  an  act  of  great  merit  to  make  a  pil- 
grimage to  Jerusalem  to  the  Holy  Sepulchre. 

466.  Galice.  The  shrine  of  St.  James  at  Compostella  in  Ga- 
licia,  whither  the  body  of  the  saint  was  said  to  have  been  carried 
by  a  ship  without  a  rudder. 

Coloyne  =  Cologne,  where  the  bones  of  the  three  wise  men 
from  the  East  were  buried. 

467.  co'tvde  =  knew ;  had  experience  in. 


I50  .VOri:.^   TO   THE  FBOlOGUE, 

^- :    usually  expuimed  as  =  tt-trWt-rxjrjj".   alluding  to 
the  u  .Uv......cs  of  making  a  pilgrimage  in  thoc>e  da_v«,  betbre  the 

great  lines  of  travel  u-ere  established :  but  if  I  might  haiard  & 
conjecture,  it  may  =  T.amdntm^,  trouble,  suffering;  cf.  rttrWrtrAl, 
sorrow.  But  the  word  may  be  taken  as  ^  tr-sfts^yrssij'H  in  a  moral 
sense.  See  Wif  of  Bathes^  Frol.  655.  "  Women  that . . .  wol  go  oa  pfl- 
grimage  more  for  sporte  than  for  deuocion."  Kt.  La  Tour- Landry,  54- 
46S.  Gii-ix-l^Jy  with  projecting  teeth.  "  Some  men  there  be  that 
put  them  [the  lips]  far  out,  by  reason  that  they  are  gag-toothed.* 
Holland's  Plinie,  L  336>  L. 

Sff/Miv  f<>r  tif  sity*t  =  to  speak  truly,  to  tell  the  truth. 

472.  /v^i-mttJtUi  =^  "  a  sort  of  riding-petticoat,  such  as  is  now 
used  by  market  women.**     T. 

474..  /I'i^'vscAi/^  =  company.     See  notes,  U.  ^6,  395. 

475-  ^^^  n'mciivts  .  .  .  Ai.?  ^«m"  =  she  knew  [the  virtues]  of 
the  remedies  for  love-  A  partitive  geniti\-e.  AVurar  is  followed 
bv  the  ace.  or  gxni. :  by  the  ace-  when  the  action  of  the  verb  is 
expressed  without  restriction :  by  the  gen.  when  the  verb  is  lim- 
ited to  a  part  of  the  object.  5i»f  Jtm^nz'  tji^  rttmt'Jits  would  assert 
that  she  understood  the  nature  and  composition  of  the  remedies ; 
Ai*r  ijf^TS"  ofti^  tn^m^'dztts  means  she  knew  what  \vere  remedies  for 
love;  cf.  "  I  know  the  man*'  and  '*I  know  of  the  man."*  The 
verb  with  «»/'"  appears  to  be  equivalent  to  the  verb  and  a  substux- 
tive ;  i.e.  =  to  have  knowledge  of. 

^irrej4tr««c^  =  by  experience.  She  was  not  a  professional,  but 
had  g-^lined  her  knowledge  by  experience,  as  she  herself  sa\-«  in 
her  Prologue,  II.  i,  i. 

**  Experience,  though  non  auctoritee 
Were  in  this  world,  is  right  ynough  for  me.* 

476»  «ri  refers  to  Ovid*s  Art  of  Love,  as  rcm^tdy^  refers  to  his 
Remedv  of  Love,  —  two  standard  works  upon  the  subject. 

ctj>«if.h'  =  Nvas  master  of. 

tJkf  ifiiia  liaMMc^.  **To  know  the  old  dance**  is  a  proverb 
meaning  to  know  the  old  customs. 

477'  *if'  t^ii;P'<^'tM  =of  a  religious  order,  —  iu  ho^y  orders. 

47$.  Am  J  a"tf5  =  who  was;  and  he  was.  The  relative  pro- 
noun, bv  virtue  of  the  relation  it  expresses,  serves  as  a  conneo 
ti\-e ;  in  this  case  «rW  connects  the  two  ^-erbs.  and  the  subject  is 
omitted  as  usual  in  such  cases. 

It  /«MirY  Pfn^MM  <>fu  T<jimM  =  a  poor  parson  (^priest")  of  a  coun- 
trv  village;  cf.  the  phrase  *'a  country-parson."  Peirs^mm  is  from 
the  La.tin  /^-rswraiv,  to  sound  or  speak  through,  and  ori^inallr 


NOTES   TO   THE  PliOLOGUE.  151 

designated:  (i)  a  mask  worn  by  actors  on  the  Roman  stage,  so 
constructed  as  to  increase  their  power  of  voice.  As  the  use  of 
these  masks  enabled  the  same  actor  to  play  (^personate)  ditlerent 
characters,  ^<v\<(?;/rt  came  to  mean  (2)  character,  as  in  the  plirases 
personam  indiierc^  personam  a^erc.  The  word  in  pure  Latin 
was  never  used  to  designate  an  individual.  This  use  of  the  word 
is  still  retained  in  Dramatis  Perso?iac  =  the  characters  of  the  play. 
By  a  very  easy  transition  the  word  came  to  mean  :  (3)  a  dis- 
tinguished character;  from  tliis  we  pass  to  {^^^  parson  (i.e.,  fer- 
sona  ecclcsiae),  which  is  an  accommodation  of  the  spelling  of  the 
word  to  the  pronunciation.  Next  we  have  the  common  change 
of  transferring  the  word  from  denoting  attribute  to  denoting  sub- 
stance, and  person  no  longer  signifies  character,  but  (5)  an  in- 
dix'idiial,  he  who  bears  the  character.  So  from  mask  the  word 
has  come  to  mean  tnan. 

479.  of  holy  thought  and  tvcrk.  Gen.  of  plenty.  We  now  sav 
rich  in.  The  use  of  the  gen.  is  very  expressive,  as  it  turns  the 
attention  to  the  source  of  the  wealth;  the  dative  (with  /«)  is 
more  subjective,  and  brings  before  the  mind  the  person  and  the 
possessions  by  which  he  is  made  rich. 

4S1.  ii'oldc preche=-\\\'i>\\G.di  to  preach. 

482.  parischens  =  parishioners. 

devoutly  wolde  =  he  most  earnestly  (devotedly)  wished  to 
teach. 

455.  such;  i.e.,  benigne,  diligent,  and  pacient.  This  presents 
us  a  vivid  picture  of  his  parish,  wherein  was  such  frequent  oppor- 
tunities for  the  exercise  of  these  virtues. 

456.  Pul  loth  xi'ere  him  =  He  was  extremely  unwilling. 

to  curse  is  the  subject;  loth  is  the  predicate  with ////«  in  the 
dative;  were,  pret.  subj. 

to  curse  =  to  excommunicate.  Curse  is  another  form  o{  cross, 
and  means  to  imprecate  the  displeasure  of  God  by  the  sign  of  the 
cross.  He  would  not  excommunicate  those  who  failed  through 
misfortune  to  pay  their  tithes. 

tythes.  The  tithe  or  tenth  was  that  part  of  one's  income  in 
kind  set  apart  for  the  service  of  the  church.  "And  behold  I 
have  given  the  children  of  Levi  all  the  tenth  in  Israel  for  an 
inheritance."  Num.  xviii.  21.  '-Thou  shalt  truly  tithe  all  the 
increase  of  thy  seed  that  the  field  bringeth  forth  year  by  year." 
Deut.  xiv.  22.     Hence  tithe  =  any  small  portion. 


15^  ^OTES   TO  THE  PROLOGUE. 

ii>7.  emi  of  d^aiie  =  witlioat  doobt.     In  A.S.  mi4i.m.  governs  the 

geujij  »£- 

4Si9.  Of  his  »0^ry'B£re  =  c(S  has  in^oine  £rom  contribations ;  par- 

smbsiamm€^=  ihs  -prcrp^Ttj  he.  had  acqtaired,  or  the  income  of 

h3*  bcTjefice- 

^yi.  //>>/  /i/if^^  ]5lije-,  as  opposed  to  abundance.  Tiimg 
{A-S.  3f. ;  '_  is  properfy  tbat  'irlhach  can  be  seen^  anj  thing  visi- 
ble ;  beinice  substance,  tbat  which  has  weight.  It  is  here  used 
coliectivel j^  and  not  distribiotiTel j,  as  is  now^  the  common  usage- 
Tkimg  3S  renfenred  bj  sonne  to  timm^  to  do- 

^91 .  Scan :  Wrd  was  \  his  parisch  \  and  boos  |  es  fier  |  ason- 
der. 

J.},; .  But  ig  mt  J/affe  mot=  he  ceased  Bot. 

^  for  fear  of;  SJikrallj,  in  frcnl  rf:    ci.fcrf, 
'  ^=  -^  -  ''■     A-S-  r€g€H  ;  tJae  ^  3*  first  sojPtened  to  jr,  then  to 
/,  a'  rDt;  cf.  i/a IT  from  dat;g. 

^    '  r  ;]  me  Saft  II  e  not  |  for  T^rne  °  r?  Ihonder. 

-1   -  -^  lit€  =  gieat  and  sms  • '..  —  :         .  _  rank  and  loir. 

^}--.    ijj'-"''  '■■-'  fi^^  =  o^-fi>ot.     He  'isras  too  poor  to  keep  a 

±  ■/    s^ierp,  pi.    AS.  Beiiiteiv  of  the  first  declension  fonn  tibe 

^      .  :■]-  alike. 

497.  TIjI  jfirsff,  iuc  Thai  is  tie  seiatence  articJe  referring  ie 
-sstrorngki^  -  mplc.     After  a  general  statement  iJio/  introduces 

ap:-- 

ajzir  laai.      Th  ~1  here  reffr?  to  1*  s^roMgiU  as  to  a  noun. 

501.  ffful^^  s.ijjt.  a  SyW/,  &Qitla.yirZ#-  Tiae  primitiTe  mean- 
ing seeiD?  to  bave  bee^n  fmirid. 

302.  A^i>  -TTcnd^.r  is.  k.c~  =  It  is  no  wonder  that  an  ignorant 
man  sboasld  "k^fjoms  fillhj.  Tiff*  rmsle  is  the  subject  of  is;  le^ed. 
mam  is  the  aoc  snbrject  Oi  i&  rmsie ;  is'&vd'cr  is  the  predicate. 

leived=^  igijoraint-  as  opporsed  to  the  clergy  or  educated  per- 
soBs;  froTu  A-S.  I'fpdf.  people,  hence  comimon  people.,  and  as  an 
adjectf  ve  :  '  z  tie  jiDaBnejs  of  the  common  people :  the  same 

idea  id2t  -  --.iced  im  villain,  boorish,  heathen.  "That  leTvd, 
•wh\ch  Tneaint  ai  one  tiiDe  no  njore  than  lay  or  uul^armrd^  should 
come  to  - '  '^i,  the  ricious,  is  not  a  little  worthj  of 

note.  Hoiar  j^rc-x-.j  ^r  are  reiminded  here  di  that  sajing  of  the 
Pharisees  of  old,  ^  This  people  which  knoweth  not  the  law  is 


NOTL'S    TO    Till':   PROLOGUE.  153 

cursed  ! '  liow  much  of  their  spirit  must  liave  been  at  work  before 
the  word  could  liavc  acquired  this  secondary-  meaning!  "  Trencli. 
From  its  jirimitive  meaning,  rjr;wr<i///,  it  passed  to  denote  one 
of  the  usual  concomitants  of  ignorance,  v/'ce ;  and,  lastly,  this 
general  meaning  was  narrowed  to  express  a  predominant  form 
of  vice.  The  above  use  of  /-//.s'/y  =  lilthv  is  not  jet  entirely  ob- 
solete in  colloquial  language. 

503.  /'/  refers  to  the  proverb  given  in  the  next  line. 

504.  foul  to  be  read  as  a  dissyllable.  The  original  word  here 
is  rather  forcible  than  elegant. 

505.  oug/itc.  "The  English  defective  verb  oiti^/it  is  the  old 
preterite  of  the  verb  to  ozvc,  which  was  at  an  early  period  used  as 
a  sort  of  auxiliary  with  the  infmitix  e,  implying  the  sense  of  ne- 
cessity, just  as  we,  and  many  of  the  Continental  nations,  now 
employ  //az\-  and  its  equivalents.  .  .  .  Afterwards,  by  a  common 
process  in  language,  the  general  idea  of  necessity  involved  in 
this  use  of  the  word  ozve  resolved  itself  into  two  distinct  senses, 
—  the  one  of  pecuniary  or  other  liability  in  the  nature  of  a  debt, 
or  the  return  of  an  equivalent  for  property,  services,  or  favors 
received;  the  other  that  of  moral  obligation,  or,  at  least  of  ex- 
pediency. DilVerent  forms  from  the  same  root  were  now  appro- 
priated to  the  two  senses ;  to  ozve  with  a  newly  formed  weak 
preterite,  owed,  being  exclusively  limited  to  the  notion  of  debt, 
and  the  simple  form  ought  being  employed  in  all  moods,  tenses, 
numbers  and  persons,  to  express  moral  obligation."  Marsh. 
Owe  is  from  the  A.S.  agan,  evidently  from  the  same  root  as  the 
Gr.  f,Vf"'>  to  have;  so  that  the  use  of  the  auxiliary  have,  as  above 
mentioned,  is  based  upon  the  same  conception  as  the  use  of  the 
word  ought.  In  this  passage  the  meaning  inclines  towards 
the  common  signification  of  o've  :  a  priest  owes  it  [to  his  pro- 
fession] to  give  example  to  his  flock. 

506.  hozv  that^=^\x\  what  way  it  should  be  that.  —  how.  ILnv 
is  onl}-  another  form  of  tc7/»',  the  instrumental  case  of  what. 
That  is  added  with  an  original  reference  to  the  noun,  implied  by 
the  interrogative;  but  as  the  pronominal  force  of  how  was  lost, 
that  was  nevertheless  retained  with  the  iiloa  of  securinir  irreater 
dollniteness  by  the  use  of  the  definitive.  The  true  construction 
is  seen  in  since  that  —  A.S.  s/'ththau  the,  in  which  case  that  is 
plainly  relative,  after  the  demonstrative  involved  in  si'uee,  sith- 
thau.  In  all  such  cases,  it  is  best  to  suppose  an  ellipsis  of  the 
proper  mode  and  tense  of /t>  be. 


154  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

507.  He  sette  not,  &c.  He  did  not  let  out  his  parochial  duties 
to  some  poor  curate,  and  go  up  to  London  to  seek  a  more  lucra- 
tive position. 

sette,  causative  from  sit,  hence ^to  cause  to  sit,  to  place;  cf. 
also  lecgaji  from  licga7i^\^y,  lie;  drencan,  from  drincan  = 
drench,   drink. 

benefice,  originally,  a  grant  of  land  to  a  Roman  veteran;  an 
ecclesiastical  living  below  that  of  a  bishop. 

to  hyre,  a  gerund  ;  cf.  to  let,  to  rent. 

508.  /ec/=let  (pret.)  =  leave.  Laetan  (let)  is  often  to  be 
construed  with  to  be  or  to  go,  understood.  "  Laet  thaer  thine  lac 
beforan  tham  altare."  jNIatt.  v.  24.  Leave  there  thy  gift  before 
the  altar. 

509.  seynte  Ponies,  sc.  church,  —  the  metropolitan  cathedral 
church  of  London,  which  the  king  and  nobility  attended.  In 
E.E.  the  diphthong  an  was  sounded  as  in  German,  and  the  word 
Paul  is  here  spelled  as  it  was  pronounced. 

510.  hi'jn,  dative  of  advantage. 

chaujiterie  for  soules  =  an  endowment  for  the  payment  of  a 
priest  for  saying  masses  for  the  soul  of  the  founder.  The  orig- 
inal pronunciation  of  soul  (A.S.  sawel)  is  here  indicated  by  the 
rhyme  :  — 

"  Persones  and  parisch  prestes  pleyned  hem  to  the  bischop, 
That  here  parisches  were  pore  sith  the  pestilence  tyme, 
To  haue  a  lycence  and  a  leue  at  London  to  dwelle 
And  syngen  there  for  symonye,  for  siluer  is  swete." 

P.  P.,  Prol.,  85. 
Latimer  (vii.    Sermons)    severely   denounces   the   chauntery 
Priests  of  his  day. 

513.  myscarye  =  \.o  misbehave,  to  carry  one's  self  amiss. 

514.  w^^c<?«ar/e  =  hireling.  "  But  he  that  is  an  hireling  and 
not  the  shepherd,  whose  own  the  sheep  are  not,  seeth  the  wolf 
coming  and  leaveth  the  sheep  and  fleeth ;  and  the  wolf  catcheth 
them,  and  scattereth  the  sheep."    Jno.  x.  12. 

516.  nought  =^  no-xv hit  =^  noi  at  all.  Not  is  only  a  contracted 
form. 

£f/5//Vo/^5=  pitiless,  uncompassionate.  '"Dispitous  is  he  that 
hath  disdain  of  his  neighebour;  that  is  to  sayn,  of  his  even 
cristen."     Persones  Tale. 

517.  dangerous  =d\^c\x\i  to  gain.  From  the  meaning  of 
penalty,  the  word  passed  "'to   signify  difficulties   about   giving 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  155 

permission  or  complying  with  a  request,  or  to  absolute  refusal." 
WedgAvood.     See  note,  line  663. 

518.  discret,  discreet,  — adapting  one's  self  to  circumstances. 
"Rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth."     2  Tim.  ii.  15. 

519.  To  draw  people  to  heaven  by  the  beauty  [of  a  godly  ex- 
ample]. 

521.  But  it  tirr^^  except  it  were  in  the  case  of  an  obstinate 
person.  The  strict  construction  is,  "  Except  any  person  were 
obstinate."  //.  however,  refers  to  the  general  idea  of  the  sen- 
tence. So  Isa.,  li.  9.  ••  Art  thou  not  it  that  hath  cut  Rahab.?" 
This  use  of  but  is  A.  S.  '•  Butan  hwa  beo  edniwan  gecenned." 
Jno.  iii.  3.     "  But  a  man  be  borun  agen."     Wiclif. 

522.  What  so  he  zt'^re  =  whosoever  he  might  be.  What  so 
is  used  instead  of  -ivho  so.  as  it  is  used  in  the  preceding  line  in- 
stead of  he ;  the  reference  being  to  the  idea  in  the  mind  of  the 
writer,  which  is  here  the  character  of  the  man  rather  than  the 
person.  In  all  such  cases,  so  is  a  pronoun  and  not  an  adverb; 
of.  Ti'hoso  with  Lat.  quisquis. 

^2\.  ther  no-juher  non  is  =  there  nowhere  is.  JVon  is  the  real 
subject. 

525.  He  zvaytcde  a/ter=  he  looked  for. 

Scan :  He  wayt  |  ede  aft'r  |  no  pompe  |  and  rev  |  erence. 
Such  contractions  are  common,  especially  with  liquids. 

526.  him  =  for  himself,  dat.  The  direct  object  of  makede  is 
conscience. 

spiced  conscience  =  2i  conscience  exceedingly  particular  about 
little  things.  '"The  fourthe  rule  is  of  spice  and  of  kynde;  that 
is,  of  part  and  of  al  the  hool  thing,  of  the  whiche  the  part  is." 
Wiclif.  Proleg.  i,  N.  T.  Spice  is  an  abbreviation  o^ species  (Lat. 
species),  a  class  distinguished  by  the  possession  of  particular 
qualities.  So  Chaucer  says  (Persones  Tale),  '*  The  spices  of 
penance  ben  three."  A  spiced  conscience  would  then  be  a  con- 
science differing  from  the  usual  conscience  of  men,  and  laying 
great  stress  upon  minor  matters,  w-hile  neglecting  weightier 
matters.  The  adversative  but  with  which  the  next  line  begins 
indicates  the  opposition  between  the  two  ideas  —  '•  spiced  con- 
science "  and  following  '■'  Cristes  lore."  A  spiced  conscience 
would  therefore  be  a  peculiar  (specific)  conscience, — one  de- 
termined by  personal  whim  or  fancy,  and  not  acting  according 
to  general  principles.  The  same  expression  occurs  in  the  Wif 
of  Bathe's  Tale  :  — 


156  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

"Ye  shulden  be  al  patient  and  meke 
And  haue  a  swete  spiced  conscience."     C.  T.,  6017. 
But  here  spiced   seems   to  belong  with  sivete, — swete  spiced= 
pleasant,  easy.     Drugs  were  called   spices,  —  not  drugs  in  gen- 
eral, but  specifics  as  we  still  say. 

"  May  no  synne  be  on  him  sene  that  useth  that  spise." 

P.  P.  ProL,  147. 
The  Italian  word   for  drugs   is  spezierie,  that  which  is  sold   in 
small  quantities,  as  opposed  to  groceries  {gross),  articles  which 
are  sold  in  large  quantities.     With  an  interpretation  drawn  from 
this  meaning,  the  expression  would  be  equivalent  to  a  conscience 
spiritually  drugged,  and  so  acting  unnaturally.    Tyrwhitt  quotes 
from  Beaumont   and  Fletcher  (Mad   Lover,  Act  3)  a  passage  in 
which  spiced  seems,  as  here,  to  signify  nice,  scrupulous :  — 
"  Fy  !    no  corruption  .  .  . 
Cle.     Take  it;    it  is  yours  : 

Be  not  so  spiced ;   it  is  good  gold; 

And  goodness  is  no  gall  to  the  conscience." 

527.  /lis  apostles,  gen.,  in  same  construction  with  Cristes. 
Such  an  arrangement  would  be  perfectly  clear  in  an  inflected 
language,  but  is  not  allowable  in  modern  English. 

528.  himselve  =  by  himself,  dative.  "  Himself  is  often  an 
abridgment  of  a  prepositional  expression  used  as  an  adverb:  he 
did  it  by  himself,  of  himself,  for  himself;  and  being  a  quasi- 
adverb  does  not  receive  the  adjectival  inflection.  It  follows  that 
my,  thy,  in  myself  and  thyself,  are  not  pronominal  adjectives, 
but  represent  inflected  cases  of  the  pronouns."  Abbott,  Shak. 
Gr.  §  20.  We  may  explain  this  expression  more  simply.  Him; 
;;^)/=me;  //^j  =  the,  are  strict  datives  of  possession  after  self 
which  is  to  be  construed  as  the  real  subject;  so  that  himself  =1 
the  self  to  him  ;  myself^  the  self  to  nie.  Cf.  al  him  one  =  him 
all  alone.  Gower.  Self  is  often  used  in  E.E.  for  an  emphatic 
subject  or  object. 

"And  eke  the  ladie  self  he  brought  away."     F.  Q^  iv.  i,  2. 
"  Such  as  the  maker  self  could  leest  by  art  devize."    lb.  iv.  3,  38. 
"  Lo  where  the  villaine  self,"  &c.     lb.  iv.  7,  30. 
In  all   these  cases  self  is   preceded  by  a  possessive  genitive, 
which  answers  to  the  possessive  dative  in  ^/;«-self.     The  posses- 
sive dative  was  common  in  A.S. 

529.  tvas  his  brother  =  y^h.o  ^N^%  his  brother.  This  omission 
of  the   subject-relative   is   common   in   Shakspeare.     "  I  have  a 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  157 

mind  [which]  presages."  M.  of  V.  i.  i.  175.  See  Abbott,  Shak. 
Gr.,  §  244.  We  still  use  the  same  construction  after  nouns, 
although  the  omission  is  awkward.     See  note,  1.  547. 

530.  t'-lad,  drawn  out,  carried,  p.p.  of  lead. 

Fother^  properly  a  carriage  load,  and  so  used  here;  cf.  Ger. 
fiider.     See  K.,  1050. 

532.  charitee  (Fr.  charitc,  Lat.  caritas)  =  love,  good-will. 
Charts  originally  signified  loveliness,  and  was  first  applied  to 
denote  physical  grace;  hence  the  Greeks  called  the  Graces 
charites.  The  transfer  to  spiritual  perfections  was  easy;  and 
charity  signified  loveliness  of  character,  prompted  by  good-will. 
It  is  so  used  by  St.  Paul  in  i  Cor.  xiii.  4:  "  Charity  suffereth 
long,"  &c.  From  signifying  moral  virtue,  the  word  easily  came 
to  signify  thoSe  acts  of  benevolence  which  are  the  strongest 
proof  of  its  possession. 

533.  God^  placed  first  for  emphasis. 

534.  though  hhn  gamede  or  smerte  =  though  it  pleased  or 
pained  him.  The  subject  is  the  previous  sentence,  God  lovede 
he.  We  usually  find  it  referring  to  the  sentence-subject.  Hiin  is 
ace-  after  impersonals  of  feeling.  Sttierte,  impersonal  subj.  pret. 
We  still  use  this  verb,  but  always  in  the  sense  of  physical  pain; 
cf.  "  It  smarts." 

535.  thatme  =  then;  see  note,  1.  12. 
Himselve,  ace. 

536-  dyke  =  ditch,  though  now  restricted  to  making  an  em- 
bankment. Dyke  and  ditch,  originally  the  same  word,  have 
become  distinct ;  one  meaning  the  embankment  made,  and  the 
other  the  trench  excavated  in  making  a  ditch. 

537.  For  Cristes  sake.     See  Matt.  xxv.  40. 

538.  if  it  lay  i)i  his  might  =  if  it  were  in  his  power. 

541.  mere  =^  ^  mare.  To  ride  upon  a  mare  was  held  to 
be  beneath  the  dignity  of  a  man  of  distinction.  The  same 
notion  prevails  among  the  North  American  Indians,  among 
whom  the  warriors  ride  upon  stallions  and  the  women  upon 
mares. 

542.  Reeve  =  an  ujidersteward,  whose  dutj'-  it  was  to  super- 
intend the  estate  of  a  gentleman.  See  11.  5S7-622.  Also  an 
officer.  Mostly  used  in  composition  with  a  noun  denoting  the 
extent  of  his  jurisdiction;  as,  port-reeve,  shire-reeve  (sheriff"), 
tozvu-reeve,  &c. 

543.  Somf>nour  =  a  summoner ;   an  officer  employed  to  sum- 


158  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

mon  delinquents  to  appear  in  ecclesiastical  courts,  —  now  called 
an  apparitor. 

Pa/'^<?;/e/' =  a  seller  of  pardons ;  one  licensed  to  sell  indul- 
gences. 

545.  fo/'  the  nones.     See  note  on  1.  379. 

547.  That  prevede  w^'/ =  that  proved  he  well.  Subject  is 
omitted.  The  same  usage  is  frequent  in  Shakspeare.  '*  This 
ellipsis  of  the  nominative  may  perhaps  be  explained  partly: 
(1)  by  the  lingering  sense  of  inflections,  which  of  themselves  are 
sometimes  sufficient  to  indicate  the  person  of  the  pronoun  under- 
stood, as  in  Milton  :  — 

*  Thou  art  my  son  beloved  :  in  him  am  pleased  ; ' 
partly  (2)  by  the  influence  of  the  Latin;  partly  (3)  by  the  rapid- 
ity of  the  Elizabethan  pronunciation,  which  frequently  changed 
he  into  a  (a  change  also  common  in  E.E.),  'a  must  needs' 
(2  Hen.  VI.  iv.  2,  59),  and  prepared  the  w^ay  for  dropping  he 
altogether."     AbboLt,  Shak.  Gr.,  §  402. 

overal  =  every  where  ;  cf.  Ger.  tiberal.  Overal  ther  may  be 
construed  together  =  wherever. 

548.  a/zf^_y=  alwaj'S.  A.S.  ealle  tvega,  all  ways  ;  hence  at  all 
times. 

ram.     A  ram  was  the  usual  prize  at  wrestling  matches. 
"  Of  wrastling  was  ther  non  his  pere, 
Ther  ony  i'a)n  shuld  stonde." 

Rime  of  Sir  Thopas. 

549.  schort-schuldred :  Ave  would  say  short--Lvaisted. 

A  thikke  knarre=2i  thick-set  stub  of  a  fellow.  Knar}-e=^\ix\Qt 
(O.E.  gnarr).  A  derivative  of  this  word  is  still  in  colloquial 
use, — gnarly  (pronounced  nurly).  This  figure  is  used  because 
of  the  >^;/o^^_v  appearance  of  the  muscles  when  largely  developed. 

550.  heve  of  harre  =  lift  off  the  hinges.  Gower  uses  the 
expression  '■'■  out  of  herre"  which  Dr.  Pauli  leaves  unexplained; 
may  it  not  be  explained  as  "out  of  gear"  or  "  oft"  the  hinges,"  as 
the  colloquial  phrase  expresses  any  disorder.? 

heve;  from  this  word  we  have  ^ea^/ (A.S.  heafod).  the  part 
which  is  lifted  up;  heaven  (A.S.  heafon),  that  which  is  lifted  up, 
—  the  sky. 

552.  sozve  or  fox.     The  wild  hog  is  of  a  tawnj'  red  color. 

553.  brood  =^  broad,  indicating  a  disregard  of  the  prevailing 
fashion.     See  line  270  and  note. 

554.  Upon  the  cop  right  =:^  right  n^onihQ  top »    We  retain  the 


♦         NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  159 

word  cof>  in  cob=  a  head,  the  receptacle  of  Indian  corn;   so  also 
in  copings  that  portion  of  a  wall  which  forms  the  top  or  finish. 

hade  =  hadde  =  had.     Tlie  orthography  and   the   pronunci- 
ation are  changed  to  accommodate  the  rhyme. 

557.  nose-thurles  =  nos-trils.     (A.S.  tkyrel,  a  hole).     Spenser 
uses  intermediate  forms  :  — 

"That  flames  of  fire  he  threw  forth  from  his  large  nosethrill." 

F.  Q^  i.  II,  22. 
"Where  proud  Encelade  whose  wide  nosthrils  burnd." 

lb.,  iii.  9,  22. 
The  modern  orthography  conceals  the  etymology  of  the  word, 
and  could  only  have  come  into  use  when  the  real  meaning  of  the 
compound  word  was  lost. 

55S.  sxverd  and  bocler.     Seel.  II2. 

559.  y(;r«^j'5  =  furnace.     See  1.  202. 

560.  jaiigler^=  a  great  talker.    From  this  word  we  h.'A.^Q.  jangle 
to  quarrel,  and  perhaps /V//^/^?. 

golycirdeys  =^  ■a.  buffoon  (Skeat),  a  teller  of  ribald  stories. 
"The  primary  type  of  jollity  is  eating  and  drinking,  an  idea 
expressed  in  caricature  by  a  representation  of  the  sound  of  liquor 
pouring  down  the  throat.  .  .  .  Fr.  godailler,  to  guzzle,  to  tipple, 
.  .  .  faire  gogaille,  to  make  merry,  to  drink  merrily.  .  .  .  The 
latter  half  [of  gogaille,  Eng.  coW.  guggle']  seems  to  give  rise  to 
the  term  gaillard,  one  making  inerry,  enjoj'ing  himself,  a  good 
fellow.  The  word  is  closely  allied  in  form  and  meaning  with 
the  O.E.  goliard,  a  loose  companion  ;  from  Fr.  gouliard,  a  greedy 
feeder."  Wedgwood.  Tyrwhitt  says  :  "  This  jovial  sect  seems 
to  have  been  so  called  from  Gclias,  the  real  or  assumed  name 
of  a  man  of  wit,  toward  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century,  who 
wrote  the  Apocalypsis  Goliae,  and  other  pieces,  in  burlesque 
Latin  rhymes,  some  of  which  have  been  falsely  attributed  to 
Walter  Map."  It  is  now  gener.ally  believed  that  Golias  was  a 
fictitious  character,  invented  hy  the  jolly  father  Map,  who 
named  his  imaginary  bishop  G'olias,  as  the  hero  of  Gluttony, 
with  an  allusion  to  Goliath  the  Philistine."  See  Skeat's  note, 
P.P.,  p.  98. 

561.  And  thai  was  =  and  one  who  was.     The   antecedent  of 
the  relative  must  be  supplied  froin  the  preceding  line. 

Alost  =  the  greatest,  a  master.     Master  is  from  Lat.  magnus, 
and  hence  will  aptlj'  translate  most  as  here  used. 

of  syntie,  Sic,  genitives  of  specification.     See  1.  83. 


l6o  NOTES    TO   THE   PROLOGUE. 

563.  a  thomhe  of  gold.  Tyrwhitt  sajs  :  "If  the  allusion  be, 
as  is  most  probable,  to  the  old  proverb,  '  Every  honest  miller  has 
a  thumb  of  gold,'  this  passage  may  mean  that  our  miller,  not- 
withstanding his  thefts,  was  an  honest  miller;  i.e.,  as  honest  as 
his  brethren."  The  skill  of  the  miller  is  shown  by  the  fineness 
and  evenness  of  the  flour,  to  secure  which  required  constant  test- 
ing, which  was  secured  by  rubbing  the  flour  with  his  thumb,  so 
that  the  line  may  more  probably  refer  to  the  miller's  skill  and 
not  to  his  honesty,  which  would  hardly  bear  any  very  flattering 
notice. 

565.  bagge/pife.,  quadrisyllable. 

566.  Ther-iX'ithal=  therewith  (wholly  with  this).  This  use  of 
therewithal  is  now  obsolete.  In  this  class  of  words,  al  is  added 
simply  for  emphasis. 

567.  Gc«^// =  well-bred.  See  1.  72,  where  it  rather  means 
well-born  ;  although  with  the  further  idea  of  good-breeding. 

temple  limits  maunciple.  The  headquarters  of  the  Knights 
Templar  were  in  London,  and  went  by  the  name  of  "  The  Tem- 
ple;" subsequently  they  were  appropriated  to  the  chambers  of 
the  two  Inns  of  Court,  or  Colleges  in  which  students  of  Law 
reside,  and  receive  instruction,  the  chief  of  which  are  the  Inner 
Temple  and  the  Middle  Temple. 

Scan :  A  gen  |  tie  Maun  |  c'ple  was  [  &c. 

568.  Of  zuhich  =  o^  whom;  of.  "Our  Father  which  art  in 
Heaven." 

569.  For  governs  the  infinitive  clause  following.  Buyers 
might  take  example  i?i  regard  to  buying  victuals. 

570.  xvhetJicr  /-^rt-/ =  whether  it  were  that;  whether.  As  an 
interrogative  %vhether^=yN\nQh.  of  two  ;  from  this  meaning  comes 
its  force  as  a  so-called  conjunction,  used  to  introduce  the  first  of 
two  alternative  clauses.  These  uses  of  w^hether  are  unfortunately 
becoming  obsolete.  "  Whether  of  them  twain  did  the  will  of  hiS 
father.?"  Matt-  xxi.  31.  We  now  say  iv/iich  :  we  usually  omit 
the  interrogative  or  alternative  zvkether. 

took  by  /«///(?  =  bought  on  credit.  Taille  =  tally  (Fr.  tai'ller, 
to  cut).  Before  reading  and  writing  were  such  common  accom- 
plishments, accounts  were  kept  by  notches  cut  into  a  stick. 
Thus  one  meaning  of  tally  is  to  count;  to  keep  tally  =  to  keep 
count.  When  there  was  a  running  account  with  debts  and 
credits,  each  party  kept  a  tally-stick,  and  as,  if  the  accounts  were 
kept  correctly,   these  sticks  would  be  the  same,   to  tally  =  to 


NOTES   TO    THE  PEOLOOUE.  l6l 

agree.  This  method  was  in  use  as  late  as  the  Restoration,  for 
Pepys  in  his  Diary  frequently  mentions  borrowing  money  on 
tallies. 

571.  waytede  so  =  was  so  attentive  to  his  business. 

572.  (J* //b /v/ ^=  before  (others).  A.S.  bcforan.  We  have  cor- 
rupted this  bcfora7i  into  beforehand^  which  again  has  been 
altered  to  forehanded. 

573.  a  fill  fair  grace  =  an  exceedingly  great  gift.  Grace  has 
acquired  a  theological  meaning  =  the  favor  of  God. 

574.  /eu'<?^=  unlearned.     See  note,  1.  502. 

w/V  =  judgment ;  practical  knowledge,  derived  from  observa- 
tion, as  distinguished  from  -wisdom  derived  from  study.  It  is 
from  the  unstudied  spontaneous  character  of  this  knowledge  that 
the  later  definitions  of  wit  have  arisen. 

schal  pace.  We  would  say  should  surpass.  Schal  must  be 
construed  as  present  subjunctive  in  a  subordinate  clause.  We 
do  not  now  use  schal  with  the  pres.  subj.,  although  we  use  should 
in  the  pret.  (conditional). 

^rtrc^=  surpass.  "  The  grace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing."    Philip,  iv.  7. 

575.  zvisdom,  learning  as  contrasted  with  w/V,  or  common 
sense. 

keep  =^  ■a.  large  number.  This  use  of  heap  is  still  current  in 
the  West  and  South,  where  many  Old  English  idioms  have  been 
preserved  to  be  called  Americanisms. 

576.  maystrcs  =  va^s.tQvs,.  Lat.  magisier,  h'ovn  magnus,  great. 
As  here  used  it  refers  to  the  lawyers  whom  he  served. 

hadde  he  =  had  he  had. 

578.  tc'///c^  =  whom. 

house  here  refers  to  the  temple  spoken  of,  1.  567. 

580.  ^;/^r/f;/(f  =  Angel-lond,  i.e.,  the  land  of  the  Angles,  one 
of  the  Teutonic  tribes  that  settled  the  island  of  Great  Britain. 
The  three  leading  tribes  were  the  Jutes  from  Jutland,  the  Angles 
from  Anglen  in  Sleswick,  and  the  Saxons  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Rhine.  When  the  tribes  fused  together  into  one  people,  the 
preponderance  of  the  Angles  gave  the  name  England  to  the 
country. 

581.  lyve.,  inf.,  second  object  of  make. 

propre  good  =  own  property.  Propre  =  what  is  peculiar  to 
one's  self;  hence  befitting  one's  character,  station,  &c. ;  also 
suited  to  what  ought  to  be.     The  original  meaning  is  preserved 

II 


l62  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

in  the  legal  phrase,  "  in  proper  person."  The  noun  froferty  has 
also  the  same  meaning,  and  strictly  signifies  what  is  one's  own; 
in  the  case  of  moral  good  we  use  the  form  propriety.  "  I  have 
of  mine  own  proper  good."  i  Chron.  xxix.  3.  That  is,  private 
property. 

"And  of  comun  h.\s propre  made."     Gower,  ii.  128. 
^^c»(^=  goods,  property.     'L.ixt.  bojia.     Gr.  ayada.     This  paral- 
lelism is  not  a  little  remarkable.     Men   have   always  considered 
wealth  the  highest  earthly  good,  as  virtue  is  the  highest  spiritual 
possession. 

582.  /;/  honour  ^^//g/^5  =  honorably  and  yet  without  incurring 
debt.  Honour  here  means  in  a  way  to  attract  consideration  : 
froin  this  meaning  the  transition  to  that  xvhich  cjitt'tles  one  to 
honor  is  quite  easy  :  thus  integrity  is  the  honor  oi  a  man,  —  "  upon 
my  honor,"  —  and  virtue  is  the  ho7ior  of  a  woman. 

but-if^^  except.     The  force  of  but  is  negative. 

583.  or  lyve  ;   in  same  construction  as  lyve  in  1.  581. 

as  hym  list  desire :^=  a.?,  it  pleases  him  to  desire.  Wright  reads 
"  as  he  can  desire." 

584.  yl;/^  connects  able  to  zvorthi,  1.  579. 
F'or  governs  to  helpen,  used  substantively. 
helpen  ==  to  extricate  from  difficulty. 

al  a^=2L  whole.  Al  must  be  construed  as  an  adverb  modify- 
ing a  considered  as  a  numeral. 

"  Of  al  a  wyke  wirche  nought."     P.P.  vi.  258. 

586.  maunciple,  dissyllable. 

sette  here  aller  cc//^6' =  would  make  fools  of  them  all. 

Aller  is  the  gen.  pi.  o^  alle ;  here  (A.S.  heora),  gen.  pi.  o{  he ; 
here  aller  =  eorum  omnium.  "  To  set  one's  cap  "  is  to  put  a  fool's 
cap  on  him,  to  overreach  him.  For  all  these  lawyers  were 
so  smart,  the  manciple  by  his  native  wit  could  outwit  them 
all. 

587.  colerik  =  irascible,  bilious.  The  bile  was  supposed  to 
be  the  seat  of  irascibility. 

585.  neigh  =  close,  nigh.  We  retain  this  orthography  in 
neighbor. 

.  he  can :  we  would  use  could  here,  but  ever  implying  a  contin- 
uous time  (present)  throws  the  verb  quite  naturally  into  the 
present.  We  use  the  present  after  a  future,  but  not  after  a 
preterite. 

589.  round  i-shorn.     Short  hair  was  a  mark  of  inferior  con- 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  163 

dition.     See  11.  Si,  109.     The  long,  lank,  lean  body  of  the  reeve 
is  in  admirable  keepin*^  with  his  character. 

590.  docked  =  cut  short.  Wages  are  docked  for  loss  of 
time. 

592.  calf=^  the  fleslij  part  of  the  leg.  This  word  is  only  a 
shortened  form  of  collop^  a  lump,  especially  of  fat :  the  calf  of  the 
leg  is  the  collop  of  flesh  belonging  to  it. 

593.  Wei  cowde  he  kepc  =  he  well  knew  how  to  take  care  of 
(keep  account  of)  a  granary  and  a  bin. 

594.  cozvde,  relative  subject  xvko  omitted.     See  note,  1.  529. 
Ofi  him  =  against  him,  of  him.     This  use  o{  ofi  is  still  current 

in  colloquial  language.     *•  Lest  they  should  tell  on  us."     i  Sam. 
xxvii.  II. 

wj/;/;?<?  =  gain  the  victory  in  case  of  disputed  accounts;  no 
auditor  could  find  an  error  in  his  accounts. 

595.  Wcl  tviste  he,  &c.  =  well  knew  he  by,  &c.,  what  would 
be  the  yield  of  his  crops.  He  could  foretell  the  yield  from  the 
circumstances  of  the  weather. 

596.  Vieldyiiir  =  i\\Q,  return  (A.S.  gyldan,  to  paj')  :  (i)  That 
which  is  paid  or  returned  for  something;  (2)  a  giving  way, — 
a  mental  action  analogous  to  paying;  (3)  the  physical  act  con- 
forming to  this  mental  state.  E.g.,  the  yield  of  a  field;  a  yield- 
ing temper;   yielding  to  opposition. 

597.  nect=  cattle.  A.S.  neat  a  derivative  of  fiyt  useful.  Neat 
cattle  was  not  originallj^  a  tautological  expression,  but  was  used 
as  we  now  use  the  word  cattle.  We  still  use  the  word  in  com- 
pounds; e.g.,  neat-leather. 

dayeri'e  =^  dairy.  "The  dey  was  a  servant  in  husbandry, 
mostly  a  female,  whose  duty  was  to  make  cheese  and  butter, 
attend  to  the  calves  and  poultry,  and  other  odds  and  ends  of  the 
farm.  .  .  .  The  milking  of  the  cows  and  feeding  the  weanlings 
by  hand  would  naturally  fall  to  the  same  attendant,  and  hence 
the  origin  of  the  name  as  rightly  pointed  out  by  Jamieson.  Dan, 
daegge  to  feed  with  foreign  milk."     Wedgwood. 

"  For  she  was  as  it  were  a  maner  dey." 

Nonne  Preestes  Tale,  26. 

599.  holly  =  \s\\o\\y.  A.S.  >^«/,  whole,  hale ;  we  thus  distin- 
guish the  two  significations  by  the  orthography. 

governy nge  ==  contvo\.  The  literal  meaning  of  ^c)r^c;'«  is  to 
Bteer  a  ship ;  Lat.  giibernare.,  Gr.  Kv^epvuv.  It  then  denoted  the 
control  of  public  aflfairs,  —  the  ship  of  state,  as  we  still  say, 


164  NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE. 

unconsciously  maintaining  the  old  figure;  and  finally  it  denotes 
control  in  general. 

601.  /orcf  =  master,  employer,  A.S.  klaford.  This  word  is 
usually  derived  from  hlaf^  loaf,  bread,  and  ord^  author,  giver; 
thus  /or^=  bread-giver.  Others  derive  it  from  hlaf-tveard  ^:= 
the  bread-warder.  Lady  is  also  derived  from  an  assumed  fem- 
inine hlaf-weardige.  But  these  etymologies  are  extremely 
doubtful,  if  not  untenable.  "  Thorkelin  in  his  Glossary  to 
Beowulf,  under  the  title  Rex,  refers  the  word  Hlaford  to  an 
Icelandic  origin,  considering  it  as  a  corruption  of  Ladvard,  a 
term  denoting  power  and  responsibility.  His  words  are:  Hlaf- 
ord, rectius  Ladvard,  Icl.  Lavardr,  a  Lad,  terra,  et  vaurdr, 
custos,  adeo  Hlaford  est,  revera,  custos  terrae,  ie.,  patriae." 
Pref.  Ormulum.  So  also  lady,  Icl.  lavdi,  also  written  in  A.S. 
hlavedi.  The  older  forms  of  the  words  are  the  simpler,  which 
would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  resemblance  to  Jilaf  is  only  the 
result  of  corruption. 

605.  ^c/^e  =  pestilence.  Trevisa  calls  the  Great  Plague  of 
1349  "  the  grete  deth." 

607.  flace,  i.e.  of  residence,  —  used  also  to  denote  a  collection 
of  dwellings,  as  a  village;  hence  the  collection  of  buildings  for 
the  use  of  a  family. 

609.  i-stored  j)rively  =  full  richly  stored  was  he  privately  : 
his  private  property  was  large. 

610.  5/^3////y  =  craftily.  The  figure  is  that  of  a  thread  spun 
to  exceeding  fineness,  implying  great  skill  and  cunning. 

611.  To  geve  and  lene  =  to  give  and  lend. 
of  his  ozvne  good  =  partitive  gen. 

612.  thank,  now  used  only  in  the  pi.  From  A.S.  thencati,  to 
remember. 

613.  mester=  trade.  "  The  Greek  /j.vaT7jpiov  meant  originally  the 
secret  doctrines  and  ceremonies  connected  with  the  worship  of 
particular  divinities.  In  the  middle  ages  the  most  difficult  and 
delicate  processes  of  many  of  the  mechanical  arts  were  kept 
religiously  secret,  and  hence  in  all  the  countries  of  Europe, 
those  arts  were  themselves  called  mysteries,  as  mechanical  trades 
still  are  in  the  dialect  of  the  English  law.  Thus,  when  a  boy  is 
apprenticed  to  a  tanner  or  a  shoemaker,  the  legal  instrument  or 
indenture,  by  which  he  is  bound,  stipulates  that  he  shall  be 
taught  the  art  and  mystery  of  tanning  or  shoemaking.  After- 
wards mystery  came  to  designate,  in  common  speech,  any  reg- 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  1 65 

ular  occupation,  so  that  a  man's  mystery  was  his  trade,  his 
employment,  the  profession  by  which  he  earned  his  bread;  and 
as  men  are  most  obviously  classed  and  characterized  by  their 
habitual  occupations,  the  question  which  so  often  occurs  in  Old 
English  writers,  'what  mester  wight  is  that?' means  what  is 
that  man's  employment,  and,  consequently,  condition  in  life." 
Marsh,  Lect.  Eng.  Lang.,  251. 

"Artificers 
Which  usen  craftes  and  mestiers 
Whose  art  is  cleped  mechanique." 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  iii.  142. 
See  K.,  1.  852. 

This  word  must  be  distinguished  from  mai'sh-ie,  Lat.  viagis' 
ieriu7n,  craft,  skill,  power,  and  from  mister.,  Lat.  ininisterinm, 
need,  necessity. 

"  To  put  him  out  of  all  daungere 
That  he  of  mete  hath  no  mistere"  (need)  R.R.,  5614. 
614.  a  xvcl good^=^2i  very  good  :  so  also  ful  good. 
616.  kig/ite  =  \ii\.s   called:   properly    a   reduplicated   passive 
form  of  the  verb. 

618.  a  rusty  blade,  for  show,  — being  rusty  it  was  evident  that 
it  had  not  been  habitually  carried ;  a  fine  touch  of  humor,  admi- 
rably illustrating  the  character  of  the  Reeve. 

619.  A'c/-////^//^  =  Norfolk.  The  two  kingdoms  founded  by 
the  Angles  in  England  were  called  Northfolk  and  Suffolk,  or 
north  and  south  folk  or  people.  These  names  still  survive  in  the 
names  of  counties  of  England. 

620.  Byside  =  ne^\'  to,  by  the  side  of. 

men  is  here  pi.  of  man,  and  not  the  indefinite  pronoun. 

621.  Tukked,  Sic.  He  was  clothed  [tucked  about]  as  is  a 
friar;    i.e.,  in  a  long  blouse  or  frock. 

622.  hyiidreste  =  hindmost.  Hiiidmost  is  a  double  superlative  ; 
est,  the  modern  supl.  termination,  being  added  to  the  old  supl. 
term.  ma. 

623.  Somp7iour.     See  note  1.  543. 
in  that  place.     See  1.  20. 

624.  cherubynes  face,  a  round,  full,  ruddy  face,  such  as  paint- 
ers give  to  cherubim. 

625.  sarvce_/iein==^2in  indefinite  skin  disease.  Tyrwhitt  quotes 
the  following  from  the  Thousand  Notable  Things:  "  A  saws- 
fleame  or  red  pimpled  face  is  helped  with  the  medicine  follow- 
ing; "  two  of  the  ingredients  are  quicksilver  and  brimstone. 


lOO  NOTES   TO   TEE  FROLOQUE. 

eyg-heji  =eyes.  Chaucer  gives  the  following  variations  in 
orthography :   Ejen,  Ejghen,  Ejhen,  Eghen. 

627.  skalled,  having  the  seal!  or  scab;  scurfy.  "If  a  man  or 
woman  have  a  plague  upon  the  head  or  the  beard;  then  the 
priest  shall  see  the  plague;  and  behold  if  it  be  in  sight  deeper 
than  the  skin;  and  there  be  in  it  a  yellow  thin  hair;  then  the 
priest  shall  pronounce  him  unclean;  it  is  a  dry  scall."  Lev. 
xiii.  29,  30. 

blake,  light-colored —  j-ellowish  (as  from  leprosy).  See  "  yel- 
low thin  hair"  above.  A.S.  blac,  pale,  pallid,  blac-Zdeor,  pale- 
faced.  Blue,  pale,  and  blaec,  black,  are  both  from  blica}i,  to 
shine,  to  dazzle.  "The  original  \ne-^n\x\goi black  seems  to  have 
been  exactly  the  reverse  of  the  present  sense  ;  viz.  shining,  white. 
It  is  in  fact  radically  identical  with  Fr.  blajtc,  white,  blank.  .  .  . 
Then  as  white  is  contrasted  with  anj'  special  color,  the  word 
came  to  signify  pale,  faded.  .  .  .  Again,  as  colors  fade  away,  the 
aspect  of  the  object  becomes  indistinct  and  obscure,  and  thus 
the  idea  of  discoloration  merges  in  that  of  dim,  dusky,  dark  on 
the  one  side,  and  in  that  of  pale  and  white  on  the  other.  .  .  . 
When  the  idea  of  dimness  or  obscurity  is  pushed  to  its  limit  it 
becomes  absolute  darkness  or  blackness."  Wed^vood.  "'To 
make  his  brows  blake,'  or  turn  pale,  was  a  common  poetical 
phrase  equivalent  to  to  vanquish  him.'' "  Wright,  Prov.  Die. 
"As  blake  as  a  marygold  "  is  a  proverbial  simile  in  dialectical 
English. 

"  Some  on  [pleaseth]  for  she  is  pale  and  bleche." 

Gower,  C.  A.  ii.  210. 
Morris,  however,  explains  blake  as  black. 

piled berd  =  ■a.  thin  beard.  See  note,  1.  177.  "And  the  man 
whose  hair  is  fallen  off  his  head  (margin  'head  is  pilled).'"^ 
Lev.  xiii.  40. 

62S.  <7/^re<^=  afraid,  frightened.  "Be  not  afeard ;  the  isle 
is  full  of  noises."  Tempest,  iii.  2,  137.  This  pronunciation  is 
still  common  in  some  parts  of  this  country. 

630.  oille  of  iartre  =  '^  preparation  of  white  tartar,  used  as  a 
cosmetic.  '•  Oy\e  of  tartar  is  said  '  to  take  away  clene  all  spots, 
freckles  and  filthy  -wheales.'  These  last,  I  suppose,  are  what 
Chaucer  calls  whelkes."      T. 

632.  Of  his  whelkes  =  that  could  relieve  him  of  his  whelkes. 
"She  was  healed  of  that  plague."  Mk.  v.  29.  So  in  A.S.  with 
the  idea  of  separation,  "  alys  us  of  yfele,"  deliver  us  from  evil. 
Morris   explains    "to    help  oft';"  but  hclf  governs  him  in  the 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  167 

dative   as   in   A.S.,  while  help-off  must  be  construed  as  a  com- 
pound verb  governing  whelkes. 

633.  5////?/^  =  staying  —  in  spite  of  remedies. 

635.  Scan  :  And  for  |  to  drink  |  e  strong  |  &c. 

to  drhike^  inf.  to  be  construed  as  a  noun  after /b^. 

636.  as  he  -were  =  as  if  he  vv^ere.  The  subjunctive,  when  indi- 
cated by  the  termination,  did  not  require  the  conjunction  to 
designate  tlie  mood. 

637.  ivhan  ///<?/  =  when;  literally  "  at  what  [time]  that." 
hevjel dfonken  hadde^  he  had  drunk  a  large  quantity.   "  Every 

man  at  the  beginning  doth  set  forth  good  wine;  and  when  men 
have  well  drunk,  then  that  which  is  worse."  Jno.  ii.  10.  "And 
when  men  be  dronke."     Tyndale. 

638.  Latyn  =  the  language  of  the  learned. 

639.  A  fexve  termcs.  As  a  belongs  only  to  singular  nouns, 
or  nouns  to  be  construed  in  the  singular,  it  cannot  limit  termes  ; 
the  real  construction  is  "  a  few  of  terms."  We  find  this  partitive 
construction  regularly  used  after  numerals ;  e.g.,  a  thousand  men 
(of  men). 

/er;«e5^ technical  terms, — words  used  in  a  peculiar  sense. 

641.  No  ivojider  /5  =  it  is  no  wonder;  i.e.,  that  he  should 
learn  it,  as  he  heard  it  all  day  in  the  courts.  The  Law  writs  all 
followed  a  certain  model,  and  hence  each  would  be  a  repetition 
of  the  other,  except  so  far  as  change  would  be  necessary  to  adapt 
it  to  the  particular  circumstances  of  the  case.  The  Summoner 
is  likened  to  a  jay  which  learns  to  repeat  words  which  it  has 
frequently  heard. 

642.  ho'jo  that  ^\iO\\\  literally  "in  what  way  it  is  that;  "  hoxv 
is  the  instrumental  case  of  w>^/3:A  "That  thou  mayest  know  how 
that  the  earth  is  the  Lord's.'     Ex.  ix.  29. 

643.  Can  clepen  Watte  =  can  call  Watt,  just  as  parrots  say 
Poll. 

644.  so  is  the  pronoun,  added  (cf.  Lat.  quis-quis)  to  render 
the  interrogative  indefinite. 

other  thin^=  other  matters. 

£-rope  =  try,  test;  literally',  to  feel  with  the  hands.  The  orig- 
inal force  of  this  word  is  still  maintained  in  the  south-western 
States;  as,  to  "  grabble  potatoes,"  is  to  thrust  the  hand  into  the 
hill,  and  select  the  largest,  leaving  the  small  ones  to  grow. 

645.  Thanne  hadde  he  spent.  All  he  knew  was  the  phrases 
which  he  had  picked  up. 


l68  NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

646.  ^iiestio  quid  Juris.  The  question  is,  what  is  the  law  in 
the  case.  "This  kind  of  question  occurs  frequently  in  Ralph  de 
Hingham.  After  having  stated  a  case,  he  adds  ^iiid  Juris,  and 
then  proceeds  to  give  the  answer  to  it."     T. 

648.  noght.     Wright  reads  no'vher,  —  a  better  reading. 

652.  To  pulle  a  fynch  =to  pluck  (pill)  a  finch;  i.e.,  to  cheat 
one  out  of  his  money. 

654.  Jiim^  — to  hail.     Double  ace.  after  verbs  of  teaching,  &c. 
awe  =  dread.     We  use  the  word  to  denote  that  degree  of  fear 

inspired  by  something  great  or  sublime. 

655.  In  such  a  caas.     Morris  reads  '*  in  such  caas." 
Archedek/ies  =  archdeacon's,  —  an  ecclesiastic  next   in   rank 

below  a  bishop,  with  authority  to  hold  court  and  try  and  punish 
ecclesiastical  offences.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  titles  of 
manj'  of  the  officers  of  the  church  were  assumed  from  words 
meaning  various  grades  of  servants  ;  e.g.,  pastor,  deacon,  bishop, 
&c. 

656.  But  //"=  except^  if  his  soul  were  not  in  his  purse. 
mannes  ^=  man's.     The  old  full  form  of  the  genitive.    We  indi- 
cate the  elision  by  the  (')  apostrophe. 

657.  These  four  lines  may  be  paraphrased  thus  :  "He  would, 
in  such  a  case,  teach  him  to  have  no  fear  of  the  Archdeacon's 
curse,  unless  his  soul  was  in  his  purse,  for  he  should  be  punished 
only  by  a  fine." 

658.  ^uod  he  =  quoth  he  (pret.)  Now  used  only  in  the  ist 
and  3d  persons  pret.  to  give  an  archaic  effect;  as,  quoth  /,  quoth 
he,  sometimes  corrupted  into  quotha. 

659.  right  =^]\xst.  Right  IS  still  used  colloquially  to  empha- 
size the  following  Avord ;  as,  right  away,  right  here,  Just  noxv 
here.  In  dede  =>  indeed,  to  be  construed  as  an  adverb,  limited 
by  right. 

660.  Him  drede  =  ^^  Each  guilty  man  ought  to  be  afraid  for 
himself  of  excommunication."  Him,  dative  after  o?/^7//f;  evidently 
here  used  with  the  sense  of  ozve,  — a  guilty  man  owes  it  to  him- 
self to  be  afraid,  &c.     Wright  reads,  "  oweth  ech  gulty  man." 

661.  curs  used  in  the  abstract  =  cursing. 

662.  And  connects  tvar  and  tcchen,  \.  654,  from  whence  xvolde 
must  be  supplied. 

VV^ar  of  him  =  war  him  of,  —  warn  him  against. 
signijicavit  =  a   writ    of    excommunication,    which   usually 
began,  "  Significavit  nobis  venerabilis  frater." 


NOTES   TO   TEE  PROLOGUE.  169 

663  Itt  dau7iffcr  =\\\t\-\\n  his  jurisdiction.  The  history  of 
the  word  dafisrer  is  most  curious  and  instructive.  "  In  Mid.  Lat. 
dam?iictn  was  used  to  signify  a  fine  imposed  bj  legal  authority. 
The  term  was  then  elliptically  applied  to  the  limits  over  which 
the  right  of  a  lord  to  the  fines  for  territorial  offences  extended, 
and  then  to  the  inclosed  field  of  a  proprietor.  ...  In  this  sense 
the  word  was  often  rendered  domage  in  French.  Damage  then 
acquired  the  sense  of  trespass,  intrusion  into  the  close  of  another, 
as  in  the  legal  phrase  damage-feasant,  whence  Fr.  dainager,  to 
distrain  or  seize  cattle  found  in  trespass.  From  this  verb  was 
apparently  formed  the  abstract  domigerium^  signifying  the  power 
of  exacting  a  damnum  or  fine  for  trespass.  Then  as  damage  is 
written  damge  in  the  laws  of  William  the  Conqueror,  the  fore- 
going domigerium  and  the  corresponding  Fr.  domagcr  or  dam- 
ager  would  pass  into  damger,  danger.  .  .  .  The  term  ^a;^^e;' was 
equally  applied  to  the  right  of  exacting  a  fine  for  breach  of  terri- 
torial rights,  or  to  the  fine  or  the  rights  themselves.  .  .  .  To  be 
in  the  danger  of  any  one  —  esire  en  sou  danger came  to  sig- 
nify to  be  subjected  to  any  one,  to  be  in  his  power,  or  liable  to  a 
penalty  to  be  inflicted  by  him  or  at  his  suit,  and  hence  the  ordi- 
nary acceptation  of  the  word  at  the  present  day.  As  the  penalty 
might  frequently  be  avoided  by  obtaining  the  license  of  the  per- 
son possessed  of  the  right  infringe.d,  the  word  was  applied  to 
such  license  or  to  exactions  made  as  the  price  of  permission." 
Wedgwood.     Littre  derives  danger  from  M.  Lat.  dominium. 

assize  =  assize,  court ;  properly  a  court  composed  of  a  number 
of  judges.  "The  word  assise  is  derived  by  Sir  Edward  Coke 
from  the  Latin  assideo,  to  sit  together;  and  it  signifies  originally 
the  jury  who  try  the  cause,  and  sit  together  for  that  purpose. 
By  a  figure  it  is  now  made  to  signify  the  court  or  jurisdiction 
which  summons  this  jury  together."  Blackstone,  iii.  1S5.  Tyr- 
whitt  reads  "owen  gise  "=own  way,  pleasure. 

664.  g/i7'/es  =  young  people  of  either  sex. 
"Grammar  for  gerlys  I  garte  firste  to  write."     P.P. 

Cf.  A.S.  ccorl,  a  churl,  a  freeman  of  the  lowest  rank.  These 
two  lines  =  he  had  the  young  people  of  the  diocese  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  his  own  court. 

665.  al  here  ;-<?(^=  wholly  their  adviser;  their  adviser  upon 
all  points;  cf.  "read  me  my  riddle;  "  i.e.,  explain  m^v  riddle. 

667.  as  it  w<?;'e=as  though  it  were.  In  all  such  cases,  the 
contingent  conjunction  is  implied  in  the  subjunctive  mode  of 
the  verb. 


170  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

ale-stake,  a  stake  hung  with  branches  and  leaves  set  up  in 
front  of  an  ale-house  for  a  sign.  The  custom  of  adorning  the 
front  of  ale-houses  with  live  branches  on  festal  occasions  is  still 
kept  up  among  us,  particularly  bj  the  Germans. 

668.  A  bokeler,  &c.  Cakes  wer#sold  at  the  ale-houses;  this 
novel  sort  of  a  buckler  was  probably  suggested  to  the  poet  by 
the  Sompnour's  resemblance  to  an  ale-stake. 

"  But  firste,  quod  he,  here  at  this  ale-stake 
I  wol  both  drinke  and  biten  ona  cake." 

C.  T.,  12,255. 

669.  Pardoner  =^2i  seller  of  indulgences,  —  a  class  of  persons 
who  brought  great  scandal  upon  the  church. 

670.  RoH7iceval.     "  Perhaps  the  name  of  some  fraternity."  T. 

671.  %vas  comen  =  had  come.  Intransitive  verbs  in  A.S. 
formed  the  perfect  and  pluperfect  with  the  auxiliary  to  be.  Comen 
is  therefore  the  past  participle,  and  the  expression  =  that  was 
having  recently  come,  &c.  This  periphrastic  form  describes  the 
actor  rather  than  the  act. 

court  of  Rome  =^  the.  Papal  court.  Observe  that  Rome  rhymes 
with  to  me ;  similarly,  Gower  rhymes  th?ie  with  by  me. 

672.  Fill  iozvde^very  loudly.     The   dative  singular  of  any 
adjective  could  be  used  as  an  adverb  both   in  A.S.  and   in  E.E. 
From   this  fact  we  may  easily  explain  the   constant   tendency, 
particularly  in  colloquial  language,  to  use  adjectives  instead  of- 
adverbs. 

Come  /li'der,  &c.  Probably  the  beginning  or  the  refrain  of  a 
well-known  popular  song. 

Scan  :  Ful  lowde  |  he  sang  |  Com  hid  |  er  lov  |  e  to  me. 
673.  Burdoioi  =^hass.     Burdouu  =  a.  staff  or   support;   hence 
in  music  denoting  the  fundamental  part  or  bass  upon  which  the 
others  rest  or  lean. 

674.  JVas^=  there  was.  Such  an  omission  must  be  explained, 
as  the  omitted  relative  subject. 

676.  Hcng=^  hung.  Strong  verbs  in  A.S.  changed  the  vowel 
in  the  preterite,  but  also  sometimes  changed  this  vowel  in  the 
different  persons  and  numbers  of  the  pret. ;  whence  arises  the 
confusion  between  saiig  and  sung,  drank  and  drunk.  A.S.  sing. 
sang,  pi.  sungon  ;  sing,  dranc,  pi.  dru?ico?i.  According  to  this 
analogy  we  have  hynge  (hyngen)  in  the  next  line;  although  in 
this  verb  there  is  no  change  in  A.S. 

677.  By  unces,  &c.,  in  separate  portions  hung  the  curls  that 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  171 

he  had  had,  and  therewith  (i.e.  with  this  dishevelled  hair)  he 
covered  his  shoulders.  The  same  idea  is  more  clearly  expressed 
in  1.  679. 

679.  On  and  oon  =  one  by  one.  The  hair  that  had  been  curled 
in  ringlets  hung  in  straight  wisps-  This  sort  of  fashionable 
carelessness  admirably  befits  the  character  of  the  Pardoner. 

6S0.  i^(?;-y(?///^^  =  because  of  his  gayety.  This  use  o{  for  \^ 
common  in  Shakspeare.  See  Abbott,  Sh.  Gr.  §  150.  Jolitce. 
Some  connect  this  with  Eng.  yiclcs  Christmas,  alluding  to  the 
festivities  of  that  occasion. 

6S2.  Him  thoiighte  =  it  seemed  to  him  that  he  rode,  &c.  We 
still  say  inethought  without  any  apprehension  of  the  construc- 
tion, just  as  we  say  "  if  you  please  "  without  any  recognition  of 
the  dative  j'o/^. 

of  the  nezve  get  =  Sifter  the  latest  fashion, — the  new  style. 
Of  the  7ietve  get  is  an  adverbial  element  modifying  rood ;  al 
modifies  this  adv.  element. 

6S5.  Vernicle,  diminutive  ofVeronike  or  Veronica  {vera-ico?t 
=  true  image),  a  representation  of  the  face  of  our  Saviour, 
printed  upon  a  handkerchief,  in  imitation  of  the  celebrated  orig- 
inal preserved  with  great  veneration  in  St.  Peter's  church  at 
Rome.  "  Some  believe  that  it  [the  original]  is  the  same  kerchief 
which  was  put  on  Christ's  face  in  the  tomb,  according  to  John, 
XX.  7;  others  have  persuaded  themselves,  but  without  proof,  that 
it  is  the  kerchief  with  which  a  holy  woman  [St.  Veronica]  wiped 
the  Saviour's  face  when  he  went  to  INIount  Calvary,  bearing  his 
cross."  See  Encyc.  Am.  It  was  usual  for  persons  returning 
from  pilgrimages  to  bring  with  them  certain  tokens  of  the  several 
places  which  they  had  visited,  and  therefore  the  Pardoner,  who 
is  just  arrived  from  Rome  is  represented  with  '  a  vernicle  sewed 
upon  his  cappe.'"     T. 

*'  A  bolle  and  a  bagge  he  bar  by  his  syde 
An  hundred  of  ampulles  on  his  hat  seten, 
Signes  of  Synay,  and  shells  of  Galice, 
And  many  a  crouche  on  his  cloke  and  keyes  of  Rome 
And  the  Vernicle  bifore,  for  men  sholde  knowe 
And  se  by  hise  signes  whom  he  sought  hadde." 

P.P.  v.  526.     Skeat. 

686.  /r?//<?  =  lap.  A.S.  laeppa,  a  lap,  border,  hem.  The 
original  meaning  is  retained  in  lapcl^  a  fold  of  cloth  like  a  hem, 


172  NOTES    TO    THE   PROLOGUE. 

used  to  hide  a  seam,  &c. ;  and  in  lappet  sometimes  called  Jlap, 
parts  of  a  garment  which  hang  loose;  cf.  Jiabby. 

6S7.  Brei-ful  =:.\)x\xn-i\x\\\  full  to  the  top.  Tyrwhitt  says  the 
meaning  of  this  word  is  clearer  than  the  etymology.  O.E.  brurd- 
ful,  A.S.  brerd^  brink.     See  K.  1306. 

"  I  bowed  in  blys  bred  ful  my  braynes." 

E.E.  Allit.  Poems,  A.  126. 
"  Er  vche  bothom  wass  brurd-ful  to  the  bonkes  egges." 

lb.  B.  383. 
alhoot=^\  hot  or  fresh  from  Rome,  —  satirically  compar- 
ing the  sellers  of  indulgences  to  the  venders  of  eatables  who  thus 
cry  their  wares. 

"  Cokes  and  here  knaves  crieden  '  bote  pies,  bote! 
Gode  gris  [pigs]  and  gees,  gowe  dyne  gowe ! '"    [come]. 

P.P.  Prol.,  226. 
688.  voys  .  .  .  smal=^  a  voice  as  weak.  "A  still  small  voice." 
I  Kg.  xix.  12. 

690.  it  refers  to  the  part  of  the  face  usually  covered  with 
beard. 

692.  Bertvyk,  a  seaport  on  the  river  Tweed,  at  the  extreme 
north  of  England, 

Ware,  a  seaport  on  the  channel. 

693.  suck  another-.  V^e  no^  ?,?Ly  a7iot/ier  suck,  oXihou^h  suck  a 
is  allowable.  Another  =  «  or  an  other;  other  (a-whether)  = 
any  one  [one  of  any  two] ;  suck  another  is  therefore  in  strict 
analogy  with  suck  a.  Many  of  these  words  which  have  the  ter- 
mination of  the  comparative  retain  the  distributive  idea  involved 
in  the  notion  of  comparison  :  thus  vjketker  =  which  one  of  two, 
anotker  =  one  of  two.  "  Love  one  another  "  =  love  one  of  two 
=  one  the  other.  As  the  force  of  the  article  in  another  is  lost, 
such  will  become  the  word  of  closer  definition.  Other  is  also 
used  in  the  plural  as  one  is  in  A-S.  and  E.E. 

694.  ;;m/e=  portmanteau.  Literally  a  bag  made  of  leather. 
Because  such  bags  are  used  in  transporting  matter  sent  by  post, 
such  matter  is  called  mail,  and  the  bags  by  a  reduplication  are 
called  mail-bags.  So  also  a  "  coat  of  mail  "  was  originally  a 
coat  of  leather;  cf.  cuirass,  Lat.  corium,  leather. 

695.  Whick  tkat  =  \wh\c\i\  which  as.  Which  being  originally 
an  interrogative,  that  may  have  been  added  to  give  it  a  relatival 
force.  Abbott,  Shak.  Gr.  §  250.  But  tkut  may  here  have  the 
force  of  (75. 


v 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  17 


o 


%vas  onre  lady  veyl,  literally  =  was  the  veil  of  the  lady  of  us. 
J^ady  gen.  for  ladye.     See  note,  1.  88. 

696.  Gobet  =  ■0.  small  piece.  "And  they  gadered  up  of  the 
gobbetes  thatt  remained."     Matt.  xiv.  20.   (Tyndale). 

697.  6"/.  Peter ^  «&c.     See  Matt.  xiv.  22-33. 
ivkan  that.     See  note,  1.  i. 

Scan  :  That  sey  |  'nt  Pet  [  er  hadde  |  &c. 

700.  piggcs  bones.  Pretending  that  they  were  the  bones  of 
some  saint.  This  trade  in  relics  is  still  kept  up  at  Rome  in  spite 
of  all  the  efforts  of  the  church  to  suppress  it. 

701.  Bu/ =  a.nd  yet.  Notice  the  adversative  force  of  but, 
implying  a  false  pretence. 

702.  d-velly7ig  upp07i  /£);/(^=  a  parson  living  in  the  country. 
So  used  frequently:  "Land  of  Nod."  Gen.  iv.  16.  Cf.  landscape. 

703.  a  day  =^  one  day. 
ki7n^  dative  of  advantage. 

moneye^f^xnon&y,  Lat.  mo^ieta,  a  surname  of  Juno,  in  whose 
temple  money  was  originally  coined.  Others  derive  the  word 
from  monere^  to  advise;  that  is,  gold  or  silver  so  marked  as  to 
advise  one  of  its  value. 

704.  Than  t/iai^==^  than  that  which.  Abbott  (Shak.  Gr.  §  244) 
suggests  that  the  omission  of  the  relative  arose  from  the  identitv 
of  the  demonstrative  l/iat  and  the  relative  (hat ;  but  it  seems 
more  natural  to  suppose  that  the  relative  that  grew  out  of  the 
demonstrative  that,  so  that  the  construction  without  the  relative 
would  be  the  original  construction. 

705.  ivith^^hy  or  through.  With  and  by  both  originally 
signified  juxtaposition,  and  thus  easily  catne  to  denote  the  rela- 
tion of  cause  and  effect.  .^ 

__^rt'/^;'/c  =  flattery  :  connected  with  the  root  of  7?^/  =  origi- 
nally to  rub  with  the  hand,  or  to  lick  the  hand  as  a  dog  does. 
In  like  manner,  from  the  wagging  of  a  dog's  tail  we  have  our 
word  ivhcedle. 

706.  Scan  :  the  peopl'  |  his  apes. 

707.  trewely  to  tellcn  =  to  speak  truly;   to  speak  the  truth. 
atte  laste=  at  the  last.     See  note,  1.  29. 

70S.  chnrche=  (i)  a  building  dedicated  to  the  Lord;  (2)  the 
body  of  worshippers  occupying  the  same;  (3)  those  who  agree 
in  certain  points  of  doctrine  ;  (4)  all  who  believe  in  the  Christian 
faith.     "  Church   is  from   the   Greek  KvptaKT],  and   signifies  that 


174  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE, 

which  pertains  to  the  Lord,  or  the  house  which  is  the  Lord's." 
Trench.     This  etymology  is  questioned  by  some. 

a  noble  ecclestaste  ^^  ■a.n  ecclesiastic  of  high  standing,  having 
the  same  rank  among  ecclesiastics  that  a  noble  has  in  society. 

709.  slorye^a  story  (abbreviated  from  /n'slory),  here  evidently 
alludes  to  passages  from  the  lives  of  saints  which  were  read 
in  divine  service.  Story  (history)  originally  denoted  matters 
learned  by  inquiry,  and  from  the  incredible  narrations  so  fre- 
quently told  by  travellers,  the  word  came  easily  to  signify  a  false 
account,  as  well  as  an  entertaining  narrative. 

710.  al^/ierbes^  =^hest  of  all.  A.S.  aller,  gen.  pi.,  sometimes 
strengthened  to  alder  or  alther.  See  note  on  here  aller^  1.  586; 
also  11.  799,  823. 

sang  an  offertorie  ^^=  intoned  the  sentences  said  or  sung  while 
the  offerings  (alms)  were  being  collected.  A  fine  satire  upon 
his  avarice. 

713.    To  wy7tne^=io  gain,-  inf.  of  purpose. 

as  he  right  ivel  coxvde  refers  to  affyle. 

71^.  Therefore  ^^ior  this  reason;  i.e.,  that  he  might  win 
silver. 

715.  clause:  a  portion  of  a  book  or  document  separated  from 
the  rest;  hence  a  "book"  of  a  poem,  a  chapter  or  a  paragraph, 
a  sentence,  or  even  a  part  of  a  sentence,  separated  by  punc- 
tuation. 

716.  Thestai,  fhar ray  =  the  estate,  the  array.  This  synco- 
pation is.very  common  in  E.E. 

717.  Why  tliat=  why  (it  was)  that. 

719.  highte  =  is  called  :  active  in  form  but  passive  in  meaning. 

faste.  The  original  meaning  of  this  word  seems  to  be  that  of 
fixedness,  strength,  e.g.,  2i  fastness ;  hence  it  denotes  that  which 
is  immovable,  either  physically  or  mentally.  From  this  idea  of 
strength  comes  the  idea  of  contiguity  :  "  Siloa's  brook  that  flowed 
fast  by  the  oracle  of  God."  The  idea  of  closeness  naturally  passes 
into  that  of  rapidity;   hence  vigorous  action. 

faste  by^=  near  to.  By=  near,  which  faste  simply  emphasizes 
by  repetition  ;  c^.  fast  asleep.  "Abide  here  fast  by  my  maidens." 
Ruth  ii.  8.  Hard  is  used  in  the  same  way  for  emphasis,  with 
the  idea  of  proximity;  e.g.,  "Whose  house  joined  hard  to  the 
synagogue."  Acts  xviii.  7.  "  My  soul  foUoweth  hard  after  thee." 
Ps.  Ixiii.  8. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  I75 

720.  is  tyme  =  it  is  the  proper  time.  Tyme  is  the  subject  =  the 
proper  time  is  now. 

to  telle  =  to  narrate.  Tell=  to  speak,  takes  the  dative  of  the 
indirect  object. 

721.  Hotv  that=  in  what  way  it  was  that;   how. 

bare  ?^5  =  conducted,  behaved  ourselves;  cf.  bearing"  =dQ- 
portment. 

722.  alight  =  ^.W^hied.  Verbs  ending  in  i,  preceded  by  a 
consonant,  drop  the  ^  of  the  pret.,  as  caste  for  casted;  so  also  in 
the  p.p. 

723.  <7/?er  =  hereafter,  afterwards.  After  is  the  comparative 
oi  aft,  behind. 

725.  of  your  curtesie  ;  an  adverbial  element,  modifying  re//^. 
Pray  takes  two  ace,  —  one  of  the  person,  you;  and  one  of  the 
thing,  that  ye  ne  rette  it.  Sic. 

726.  that  ye,  &c.  =  that  ye  do  not  ascribe  it  to  my  ill- 
breeding. 

727.  Though  />^(7/  =  though  it  be  that,  although. 

«/ ^/e>7z^  plainly.  Plain  literally  is  level  (^flane)',  hence 
without  obstructions  :  "  Lead  me  in  a  plain  path."  Ps.  xxvii.  11. 
Clear,  without  obstruction  to  the  sense:  -'They  (words)  are  all 
plain."  Prov.  viii.  9.  Easy  of  approach,  without  formalities: 
"Jacob  was  a  plain  man"  (Gen.  xxv.  27),  here  means  without 
being  checked  by  the  proprieties  of  societj'. 

729.  properly^  according  as  each  spoke  them.    Sec  note,  1.  581. 

731.  schal  is  the  oldest  future  auxiliary,  and  is  always  used 
except  where  it  would  be  ambiguous,  implying  constraint  as  well 
as  futurity.  In  the  authorized  version  of  the  Bible  we  often  find 
shall  where  usually  will  would  be  more  idiomatic,  while  will  is 
quite  generally  used  in  the  sense  of  willing  or  wishing.  "  If  thou 
wilt  thou  canst  make  me  clean."  "  I  will,  be  thou  clean."  Mark 
i.  40,  41.  In  the  languages  derived  from  the  Latin,  the  future  is 
formed  by  means  of  habeo  (have),  implying  the  same  idea  of 
necessity.  The  Gothic  uses  have  in  this  sense,  while  in  our 
present  idiom,  as,  an  auxiliary,  it  implies  constraint.  The 
original  force  of  shall  was  that  of  obligation,  in  which  sense  the 
preterite  is  still  used.  It  implies  duty,  and  henceynecessity  of  a 
moral  kind,  equivalent  to  to  o've,  ought.  Will  denotes  simple 
volition,  and  thus  simple  futurity.  It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that 
one  class  of  languages  have  formed  the  notion  of  futurity  from 
the  idea  of  compulsion,   and   the   other   from   that   of  choice. 


176  NOTES   TO   TEE  PROLOGUE. 

"  The  assertion  of  will,  or  of  duty,  seems  to  have  been  considered 
as  implying,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  power  to  will  or  to  impose 
a  duty.  As  a  man  has  power  to  will  for  himself  only,  it  was 
only  in  the  first  person  that  the  verb  ivill  could  be  used  with  this 
signification.  Again  :  the  power  which  overrides  the  will,  to 
impose  a  duty,  must  proceed  from  external  agency,  and  conse- 
quently 5//«//  could  not  be  employed  to  denote  such  power  in  the 
person."  Dr.  Guest,  quoted  in  Craik,  E.  of  S.,  218,  "I  shall, 
yon  ivill,  and  he  -will,  are  generally  simply  future  predictions; 
and  7vill  and  shall  are  true  auxiliaries.  I  -will,  you  shall,  and  he 
shall-,  are  expressions  of  determination;  and  will  and  shall  are 
not  true  auxiliaries.  No  very  satisfactory  explanation  of  a  dis- 
tinction apparently  so  arbitrary  has  been  given,  though  some 
ingenious  suggestions  as  to  the  origin  of  it  have  been  offered; 
but,  whatever  foundation  may  once  have  existed  for  this  nicety, 
it  now  answers  no  intellectual  purpose.  There  is  little  risk  in 
predicting  that,  at  no  very  distant  day,  this  verbal  quibble  will 
disappear,  and  that  one  of  the  auxiliaries  will  be  employed  with 
all  persons  of  the  nominative  exclusively  as  the  sign  of  the  future, 
and  the  other  only  as  an  expression  of  purpose  or  authority." 
Marsh,  Lect.  Eng.  Lang.,  659. 

732.  rehercc^ rehearse.  "To  rehcrcer,  to  go  over  again  like 
a  harrow  (Fr.  hcrce)  over  a  ploughed  field."  Morris.  Webster's 
Diet,  says,  "Probably  from  prefix  re  and  hearsay.'^ 

as  evere  he  can.  Ever  (A.S.  aefer  from  «)  denotes  continuity 
in  time;  but  in  such  colloquial  expressions  the  word  rather 
denotes  continued  endeavor.  The  expression  =  as  he  may  be 
able  to  at  all  times.     Ca7i  is  not  an  auxiliary  here. 

733.  charge  ^='a.n  undertaking.  l^^.i.  carrus,  a  car;  whence 
cargo,  a  load,  and  Fr.  charger,  to  load ;  also  carricare,  to  load 
(whence  caricature).  From  this  root  come  car,  cart,  chariot, 
carry,  &c.  A  charge  is  therefore  something  to  be  carried,  — 
a  burden,  a  commission,  a  solemn  injunction;  also  cost,  debt, 
&c. ;  also  an  accusation  of  crime,  the  disgrace  of  which  one  car- 
ries like  a  burden. 

734.  Al  speke  ^^  =  although  he  may  speak.  The  verb  being 
subj.  needed  no  conjunction. 

nevere  so.  Having  abandoned  the  profusion  of  negatives, 
we  usually  write  "  ever  so." 

large  =  coarse,  vulgar.  Compare  the  similar  meanings  of 
gross. 


NOTES   TO   THE   PROLOGUE.  177 

736.  tvordes  «ewe  =  unfamiliar  words. 

737-  spare  =  refrain  ;  i.e.,  from  rehearsing  as  nigh  as  ever  he 
can. 

ke  were  his  brother.  He  here  refers  to  the  original  teller  of 
the  storj. 

738.  He  moot,  &c.  =  He  must  as  well  say  a  word  that  is  im- 
polite as  one  that  is  refined. 

739.  Crist  s_/>ak  himself.  This  arrangement  is  still  used  for 
emphasis  as,  "  He  told  me  so  himself." 

/ul  broode  =  sivoiding  the  niceties  of  speech.  ISIany  of  the 
words  used  to  denote  vulgarity  originally  signified  greatness  of 
size,  e.g.,  gross,  coarse,  large,  broad;  while  words  denoting 
neatness  on  the  contrary  were  taken  from  those  implying  little- 
ness;  cf.  clean,  Ger.  hlein,  little. 

wr/V=  writing,  that  wliich  is  written;  used  at  present  only 
in  the  expression  "Holy  Writ;"  and  to  denote  a  legal  instru- 
ment, as  a  "writ  of  error." 

740.  ye,  nom. ;  dat.  and  ace.  yoii.  See  1.  743.  The  use  of  you 
in  the  nominative  is  comparatively  recent. 

Vileiuye  =  depraved  discourse,  which  breaks  the  rules  of  good 
breeding.  "In  our  modern  language  it  [depraved  discourse]  is 
termed  villainy,  as  being  proper  for  rustic  boors,  or  men  of 
coarsest  education  and  employment,  who  having  their  minds 
debased  by  being  conversant  in  meanest  affairs  do  vent  their 
sorry  passions  in  such  strains."     Dr.  Barrow. 

741.  whoso  that  can  him  rede  =  if  that  any  one  can  read  him. 
Who  and  whoso  are  used  indefinitely.  "As  who  should  say." 
Rich.  H.  V.  4. 

"And  am  as  who  saith  loves  knave."      Gower  ii.  131. 
"After  the  flood  fro  which  Noe 
Was  sauf,  the  worlde  in  his  degre 
Was  made  as  who  saith  new  agein."     lb.  ii.  iSi. 

742.  cosyn=related  to,  in  keeping  with. 

743.  foryeve  it  me.  Me  dat.  of  indirect  object.  In  A.S.  the 
usual  construction  after  gifan,  forgifan  was  the  dative  of  the 
person  with  the  accusative  of  the  thing.  "And  forgyf  us  ure 
gyltas,  swa  swa  we  forgyfath  urum  gyltendum."     Matt.  vi.  12. 

744.  Al  have  I  nat^=  although  I  may  not  have  set,  &c. 

745.  as  that  ^:=vi\\e\-e  that,  how  that.  The  pronominal  force 
of  as  allows  of  its  use  instead  of  which  and  where,  as  even  now 
in  some  dialects. 

12 


178  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOQUE. 


>» 


"  That  gentleness    .  .  asl  was  wont  to  have.' 

Jul.  C.  i.  2. 
tJiei  schulde  stonde  =  they  ought  to  stand.  Chaucer  forms  all 
the  oblique  cases  of  the  plural  of  the  personal  pronouns  from  the 
Southern  form  /ii ;  while  the  nominative,  as  here,  is  formed 
from  the  Northern  ^/lai:  We  have  extended  the  use  of  the  demon- 
strative, and  write  ^/lem  instead  of  /lem,  which  we  still  use  in  col- 
loquial speech,  —  pronounced  em. 

746.  5c-//(?;'/  =  deficient,  wanting.  Still  used  in  this  sense,  as 
"  short  of  funds." 

747.  us  evericJion  =  each  one  of  us,  —  dative  of  indirect  object. 
^Z't^/'zV://(?«  =  ever-each-one,  gives  us  a  distributive  force. 

749.  atte  des^e  =  in  the  best  manner.     See  note,  1.  29. 

750.  afid  ivel  to  drynke  us  leste  =  and  to  drink  pleased  us  well ; 
i.e.,  it  pleased  us  well  to  drink.  Lcste  takes  to  drmke  as  its 
subject,  and  u^  as  its  accusative  object. 

751.  our-e  koost  he,  redundant  pronoun.  After  a  subject  which 
has  been  introduced  some  time  before  its  verb,  or  after  a  subject 
with  appositive  clauses,  or  (as  in  this  instance)  when  both  predi- 
cate and  subject  precede  the  verb,  the  subject  pronoun  is  often 
introduced  immediately  preceding  the  verb.  See  Abbott,  Shak. 
Gr.  §§  242,  243,  for  illustrations  of  this  usage  in  Shakspeare. 

Our  host  was  withal  a  man  suitable  to  have  been,  &c. 

752.  marsc/ial  =^  marshal  of  the  hall,  —  whose  duty  it  was  at 
public  festivals  to  place  each  person  according  to  his  rank.  We 
still  use  the  word  in  this  sense  when  we  speak  of  the  marshal  of 
a  procession,  and  to  marshal  an  army,  a  host,  &c. 

753.  eyghen  stepe.     See  1.  201  and  note. 

754.  fairere  bHrgeys^=2^  more  respectable  citizen. 

C>^g^g  =  Cheapside  in  London.  To  cheapcti  meant  to  buy, 
Pepys  in  his  Diary  speaks  of  cheapening  goods  in  the  market; 
cheap-side^  literally  =  the  market  place. 

756.  ma7jhede  =  va2i.n\\oo6..  Hede  (hood,  head)  denotes  charac- 
ter or  condition;  e.g.,  childhood,  knighthood,  godhead. 

him  lakhede^  there  lacked  to  him  right  nothing.  Tl/fn  is 
dative  after  verbs  ofwatit. 

757.  right  a  mery  man  =  just  one  merry  man,  —  a  right  merry 
man. 

758.  playe?t  =  to  make  sport;   inf.  after  bygan. 

759.  a;;zo«^t'5  ^  amongst,  among.  A.S.  on  mang,  from  meu' 
gian  (Ger.  mengcn^,  to  mix;  on  mang  would  therefore   literally 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  179 

=  /;/  a  mzxttcre.  The  superlative  termination  seems  to  have  been 
added  for  the  sake  of  emphasis.  It  is  worth  while  to  note  the 
termmations  of  the  prepositions,  and  observe  whether  they  are 
comparative  or  superlative;  as,  primarily,  the  comparative  degree 
expresses  relation  between  two  onlj',  while  the  superlative  ex- 
presses the  widest  possible  relation  ;  we  may  observe  the  appli- 
cation of  this  rule  in  all  relational  words.  E.g.  comp.  ovey, 
after,  tinder,  for,  fore,  before.  Sic  :  supl.  amidst,  amongst,  alo7igst^ 
also  from  (old  supl.  ?na)  :  also  words  derived  from  the  pronouns ; 
e.g.,  other,  either,  xvhether,  hither,  thither,  &c. 

760.  hadde  maad  our  rekenynges  =  had  made  our  reckonings ; 
i.e.,  had  paid  our  accounts.  "  Howbeit  there  was  no  reckoning 
made  with  them."  2  Kg.  xxii.  7;  i.e.,  there  was  no  formal  set- 
tlement. 

761.  Lo,  an  exclamation  to  call  attention,  usually  ho,  A.S.  la. 
Halloo  is  probably  a  combination  oi  ho  and  la,  or  it  may  be  k-la- 
la,  eala  ! 

762.  Te  ben.  The  plural  form  aron  (^earoji)  is  rare  in  A.S. 
It  seems  to  have  arisen  from  a  stem  ar  instead  of  is,  whence  we 
get  in  the  plural  aroti  in  place  of  sindou.  The  influence  of  the 
Danes,  in  whose  language  r  is  quite  frequently  substituted  for  5, 
would  naturally  fix  this  plural  in  use. 

right  welcome  hertely  ^  right  heartily  welcome. 

763.  if  that  I  schal  Jiot  lie=^\i  so  be  that  I  must  not  lie.  Schal 
is  here  used  with  its  primary  meaning  of  obligation. 

764    this  yeer^=di\xr\ng  this  year,  ace.  of  time. 

766.  ivolde  I  don  you^\  would  wish  to  cause  to  you.  To 
cause  is  the  common  meaning  o{ do  in  A.S.  and  E.E.,  and  is  still 
retained  in  certain  phrases  :  "  I  do  you  to  wit  "^I  cause  you  to 
know. 

"Which  some  hath  put  to  shame  and  many  done  be  dead." 

Spenser,  F.  Qj,  v.  4,  §  29. 
That  is,  hath  caused  many  to  be  dead. 

don  (inf.)  takes  mirthe,  direct  object  in  ace,  and  you  indirect 
in  dative. 

xviste  I  hoxu  =^d\d  I  know  how  =  if  I  knew  how.  IViste  is 
subjunctive.  We  still  use  the  subjunctive  in  such  constructions 
without  a  conjunction.  "  O  had  I  the  Avings  of  a  dove."  "  Hadst 
thou  been  here  my  brother  had  not  died."    Jno.  xi.  32. 

767.  by  thought  =  hethought,  reminded.  The  prefix  be  gives 
an  active  signification  to  many  verbs  otherwise  intransitive. 


l8o  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

768.  To  dooii  you  eese.  Gerundial  infinitive  phrase  depend- 
ing upon  jnirtke.  * 

769.  God  you  speede  =  m^y  God  prosper  you.  "Speed  the 
plough." 

770.  qnyte  you  youre  mcede=^may  the  blessed  martyr  grant 
you  your  reward. 

martyr,  literally  =  a  witness  :  early  applied  to  those  who  gave 
testimony  to  their  religion  by  their  death. 

771.  by  the  2veye  =  on  the  way.  "Did  not  our  heart  burn 
within  us,  while  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way.?"  Luke 
xxiv.  32. 

772.  2c5c^^/^;?j'^?x'=  you  get  yourselves  in  readiness  to  tell 
stories,  &c. 

773.  Scan  :  For  trew  |  ely  |  comfort  |  ne  mirthe  ]  is  noon. 
For  indeed  there  is  no  comfort  or  mirth  in  riding,  &c. 

774.  Scan  :  To  ry  |  de  by  |  the  weye  |  Sic. 
To  rydc,  inf.  subject  of /5. 

775.  vjol  I make7i=^\  am  willing  (wish)  to  make  some  sport 
for  you. 

776.  <fcj'<?//  =  cause  to  you. 

777.  if  you  liketh  alle  =  \{  it  please  you  all.  The  subject  of 
liketh  is  the  idea  contained  in  the  next  two  lines,  rather  than  any 
particular  words,  although  to  standen  and  to  iverken  can  be  so 
construed. 

^^S.  for  to  sta7ide7i^=^\.o  stand.  In  A.S.  to  was  never  used 
with  the  infinitive,  but  was  used  with  the  dative  gerund  ;  when 
inflection  was  lost,  this  dative  was  denoted  by  the  preposition 
for;  and  when  the  gerund  had  merged  into  the  infinitive  for  to 
(often  written  together  y<?r/<?,  forte)  was  adopted  as  the  regular 
sign  of  the  infinitive.  "  Is  the  leouere  vorte  beon  Judases  feolawe 
then  Jesu  Cristes  fere.?"  An.  R.  284.  Do  you  prefer  to  /5<?  Judas's 
fellow  than  Jesus  Christ's  companion.? 

779.  for  to  werke?i  =  to  act,  to  do. 

I schal you  seye=^\  shall  say  to  you,  —  direct  3'ou. 

7S0.  To-mortve=^\.o-vc\oxxo\N  (the  morrow).  To  in  such  in- 
stances has  grown  out  of  the  demonstrative  pronoun,  e.g.,  to-day^ 
to-night;  i.e.,  this  (the)  day;   the  (this)  night. 

781.  By  the  soul  of  my  father,  who  is  dead.  That  refers  to 
fadres.  Such  reference  of  the  relative  is  not  uncommon  in  E.E. 
"Cain's  jawbone  that  did  the  first  murder."  Ilamlet.  "And 
this  is  the  Fatlier's  will,  which  hath  sent  me."    Jno.  vi.  39. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  l8l 

soulc  =  ?,o\x\ :  pronounced  so'vl.  A.S.  sa'^vl  from  satvan  to 
sow;  hence  the  principle  or  germ  of  life. 

782.  But^=\(  not,  except. 

sjnytetk  of^  smite  off.  The  usual  termination  of  the  impera- 
tive pi.  was  elk.    A.S.  aik.     See  1.  788- 

of^=o&.  We  have  discriminated  between  these  two  meanings 
by  the  spelling,  —  the  priinary  meaning  being  that  of  separation, 
which  is  retained  in  off;  while  of  denotes  the  logical  separation 
implied  in  cause  and  effect  or  origin. 

myn  gen.  of  7c. 

783.  yourc  hond  =  your  hands.  Strictly  speaking,  we  have 
no  true  possessive  pronouns;  what  we  use  as  possessives  are 
really  genitives.  "My  book"  is  not  liber  7neus,  hut  liber  mei : 
hence  the  noun  need  not  be  in  agreement  with  the  pronoun. 
Toure  is  here  used  with  a  distributive  force  =  each  of  you. 

sfeche.     We  say  "  without  any  further  words." 

784.  Oure  couiiseil,  consilitcm  nostri. 

for  to  sec/ie  =  to  be  sought,  —  a  gerund,  depending  upon  longe; 
as,  "  the  ship  is  ready  to  sail,"  "  the  house  is  ready  to  be  let." 

785.  Us  thoughte  =  it  seemed  to  us. 

it  xvas  nat  worth  =  it  was  not  worth  whil-e. 

to  make  it  tvys^to  make  it  a  matter  of  wisdom  or  delibera- 
tion; of.  "  He  made  it  strange  "  =  he  made  it  a  matter  of  diffi- 
culty." 

786.  gramitede.  The  object  is  omitted;  supply  "  his  propo- 
sition ;  "  him  is  dative  after  verbs  of  giving,  &c. 

7S7.  bad=  desired.  To  seize  is  the  direct  object,  him  dative 
of  indirect.  The  original  signification  of  bid  is  to  pray,  hence 
bead= -prayer.  From  this  meaning  it  passes  to  that  of  com- 
mand; when  offered  by  an  inferior  it  is  a  prayer,  when  by  a 
superior  it  is  a  command.  The  subjunctive  is  used  in  Greek  as 
an  imperative,  according  to  this  principle. 

As  hi)}t  liste  =  iis  it  might  seem  good  to  him. 

788.  herkneth,  imperative;  so  also  taketh  in  next  line. 
for  the  beste  =  finally ;   as  we  say  "  for  good." 

789.  Scan  :  But  tak'th  |  it  not  |  I  praye  |  &c. 
it  refers  to  the  suppressed  object  of  herkyieth. 

790.  to  spekcji,  an  independent  clause,  —  to  be  construed  like 
a  dative  absolute. 

791.  to  schorte=  to  shorten ;  infinitive  of  purpose  after  telle. 
^/M  =  therewith,  withal.     The  object  of  the  preposition  is 


l82  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOOUE. 

omitted,  but  can  easily  be  supplied  from  the  context.  "And  he 
took  a  potsherd  to  scrape  himself  withal."  Job  ii.  8;  i.e.,  with 
which  to  scrape  himself. 

792.  tales  tiveye.  Only  one  was  told.  Either  these  lines  are 
corrupt  or  the  plan  of  the  work  was  left  incomplete.  If  we  read 
other  too  (an  other  too)  for  other  tzvo,  so  that  the  lines  would 
mean  "  each  shall  tell  two  tales,  —  one  going  to  Canterbury  and 
another  coming,"  —  we  would  perhaps  have  an  easy  explanation 
of  the  difficulty.  Other  was  regularly  used  for  sccotid  in  A.S- 
This  view  seems  to  be  sustained  by  "  I  mene  it  so,"  1.  793. 

793.  ward  —  a  suffix  denoting  situation,  direction,  either 
physical  or  (figuratively)  intellectual ;  often  used  with  to  as  a 
strengthened  form.  "  Thy  thoughts  which  are  to  us  ward."  Ps. 
xl.  5.  "  His  works  have  been  to  thee  ward  very  good."  i  Sam. 
xix.  4.  "  The  grace  of  God  .  .  .  to  you  ward."  Eph.  iii.  2.  "To 
the  mercy  seat  ward."  Ex.  xxxvii.  9 ;  cf.  toward^  forward^  up- 
ivard,  Sic. 

I  me?ie  it  so  =  th2Lt  is  to  say.  It  is  redundant.  Shakspeare 
has  "foot  it,"  "queen  it,"  Milton  "trip  it  as  you  go."  This  use 
is  now  confined  to  colloquial  language. 

795.  han  bifalle  =  have  happened.  "  It  fell  on  a  day."  When 
followed  by  an  object  this  verb  takes  the  dative ;  it  is  therefore 
usually  called  transitive. 

796*  which  of  you  that  =  whoever,  with  something  of  a  de- 
monstrative force  added,  as  though  ==  "  that  one  of  you  which." 
This  construction  is  common  in  Chaucer.  As  which  was  orig- 
inally an  interrogative,  that  may  have  been  added  to  give  a 
relatival  force. 

>^/w  ==  himself.  The  A.S.  had  —  and  consequently  the  Eng- 
lish has —  no  reflexive  pronoun.  We  change  the  personal  pro- 
nouns into  reflectives  by  the  addition  of  self,  which  was  origi- 
nally an  emphatic  but  not  a  reflexive  form. 

797.  That  is  to  seyn.  That  refers  to  the  previous  sentence ; 
to  seyn  is  predicate. 

in  this  caas  =  under  these  circumstances. 

798.  sentence  and  most  solas  =^t\\Q  most  instructive  and  the 
most  amusing.  Sentence  here  refers  to  the  ideas,  or  thought  of 
the  story.  A  grammatical  sentence  is  so  called  because  it  ex- 
presses a  complete  thought. 

779.  at  youre  alther  cost  =  at  the  cost  of  you  all.  Toure,  gen. 
pi.  of  you  J  alther  gen.  pi.  of  a//. 


NOTES    TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  183 

800.  Here  in  this  j)lace ;  i.e.,  at  his  hostelry:  the  idea  is  re- 
peated for  emphasis. 

j)ost.  See  note  1.  214.  The  doorpost  of  his  inn,  or  perhaps 
the  post  in  front  of  his  house.  Dealers  chalked  the  debts  of  their 
customers  upon  the  doorposts;  hence  the  phrase  "to  post  ac- 
counts." Sheriffs  had  posts  before  their  doors  upon  whicli  proc- 
lamations were  affixed;  hence  the  phrase  "to  post  a  person  as 
a  coward." 

801.  ive  come  =  v^e.  shall  come.  The  A.S.  has  no  inflected 
future  tense,  but  regularly  used  the  present  instead. 

802.  the  more  mcry.  The  is  here  the  instrumental  case  of  the 
demonstrative,  and  corresponds  to  how ;  it  is  usually  called  an 
adverb.  It  is  equivalent  to  the  Lat.  co,  by  that,  by  so  much.  It 
is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  this  the  must  be  carefully  distin- 
guished from  the  article. 

803.  /Tf<?/=  I  wish.  "  I  will  that  thou  give  me  .  .  .  the  head 
of  John  the  Baptist."    Mk.  vi.  25. 

myselven  =  for  myself,  dative  sometimes  called  ethical. 

805.  xvithseie  =  gainsay,  oppose.  With  originally  signifies 
juxtaposition,  which  of  course  may  imply  opposition,  which 
sense  it  usually  retains  in  compounds,  as  -zvithstajid. 

809.  therefore  =  for  this  —  there  being  the  dative  of  the  de- 
monstrative. 

?ne  =  myself.     See  note  1.  796. 

810.  cure  othes  szvore  ^=\\Q.  swore  our  oaths.  The  subject  is 
omitted;  it  must  be  supplied  here  and  with  prayeden  in  the  next 
line.  As  the  inflections  of  the  second  and  third  persons  singular 
are  retained,  they  most  readily  drop  the  nominative ;  the  other 
persons,  ending  alike,  become  indistinguishable  if  the  pronouns 
or  subjects  are  omitted,  and  hence  sufter  the  omission  less  fre- 
quently. 

stuore.  From  the  meaning  (i)  to  affirm,  srvear  passes  to  mean 
(2)  affirming  solemnly,  or  under  oath,  and  (3)  to  appealing  to 
God  as  a  witness  of  the  truth  of  the  statement;  and  (4)  to  such 
appeals  in  a  blasphemous  manner. 

812.  After  the  pres.  indie,  we  use  the  present  infinitive  objec- 
tively; e.g.  "We  pray  you  to  vouchsafe  us;"  in  narration  of 
past  events,  the  pres.  indie,  becomes  a  preterite,  and,  instead 
of  the  past  infinitive,  we  may  use  a  subjunctive  sentence  after 
that ;  if  the  prayer  was  refused,  we  would  still  use  the  present 
inf. ;  e.g.,  "We  prayed  him  to  vouchsafe,"  —  but  he  refused. 


184  NOTES  TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

813.  oure,  plural  as  shown  bj  final  e,  and  cannot  agree  with 
gov  em  our  ;  it  is,  therefore,  genitive. 

815.  sette^  prepare;  cf.  '*set  the  table." 

At  a  certeyn  prys  =  at  a  fixed  price,  ■ —  at  a  price  determined 
oeforehand.  This  precaution  maj  have  been  suggested  bj  the 
payment  of  their  bills. 

816.  rexulcd  =^  ruled.  The  peculiar  sound  of  u  in  rule  is  indi- 
cated by  the  vowel  w.  The  word  was  formerly  spelled  riwle ; 
so  Jews,  Ghvs. 

817.  In  JieigJt  and  loxve  =  in  all  things.  Such  expressions  are 
common  in  E.E.  to  denote  completeness. 

"  Don  we  hit  wolleth 
Lude  and  stille 

Al  the  kinges  wille."     Layamon,  i.  156. 
By  oon  assejti  =  with  one  consent,  unanimouslj'. 
819.  i/ierupon,  literally  =  up  on  this  (either  place  or  time). 
i/ie  vjyji  ivas  fct  =  the  wine  was  brought.     Drinking  upon  the 
conclusion  of  a  contract  is  still   a  custom  in  many  places ;   cf. 
drink-penny  =  earnest-money. 

S23.  oure  alt/ier  =  of  us  all,  gen.  pi. 

coA'  =  leader,  — gathering  his  company  as  a  cock  gathers  and 
leads  his  hens. 

824.  togidre^  together.  To  has  an  intensive  force,  as  in  verbs 
to-break,  Sic. 

al/e,  in  apposition  with  t(s. 

Scan  :  and  gad  |  rede  us  |  to-gidr'  |  alle  in  |  a  flok. 

825.  paas  =  foot  pace.  "  A/«5  with  Chaucer  means  always, 
I  believe,  a  foot  pace."  T.  A  little  more  than  pace  =  a  little 
faster  than  a  walk. 

826.  f//e  zvaterynge  of  sei)it  T/iomas,  —  "a  place  for  watering 
horses,  I  suppose,  a  little  out  of  the  borough  of  Southwark,  on 
the  road  to  Canterbury."     T. 

827.  bigan  —  «/'e5/e  =  halted.  Bigan,  literally  =  began,  but 
is  here  used,  as  it  is  quite  commonly  in  E.E.,  as  an  auxiliary  = 
did;  usually  abbreviated  to  gan. 

"And  thanne  gan  alle  the  comune  crye  in  vers  of  Latin." 

P.P.  Pro.  143. 
*'  His  blisse  gan  he  tyne ;  "  i.e.,  did  he  lose. 

lb.  i.  112. 
As  the  strict  meaning  of  do  =  to  cause,  the  construction  with 
this  auxiliary  would  be  the  same. 


NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE.  185 

829.  /  it  you  recorde  =  I  remind  you  of  it,  —  double  ace. 
^'eccr^^,  actively  =  to  remind  ;  reflexively  =  to  call  to  mind, 

to  remember.    Hence  also  to  place  facts  where  they  can  be  called 
to  mind;  i.e.,  on  record. 

830.  even-song-  a?id  mortve-song-=  evening  song  and  morning 
song;  i.e.,  vespers  and  matins,  —  evidently  a  proverb. 

831.  L,at  se=  let  us  see  ;  literally,  permit  us  to  see,  —  tis  being 
dative.  Le^  is  one  of  the  few  verbs  which  retain  the  old  con- 
struction with  the  infinitive  without  the  preposition  to. 

iv/io  scAal  telle  =  who  must  tell,  —  whose  place  it  is  to  tell. 
If  will  were  used  here  the  sense  would  be  quite  dift'erent. 

832.  I  moot  =1  may.  A.S.  Icmot,  A  burlesque  imprecation 
well  suited  to  the  host's  calling. 

833.  IV/ioso  de  =  whoever  may  he, — shall  be:  we  would  per- 
haps say  "whoever  is."  The  subj.  makes  this  =  if  any  one  shall 
be  rebel  ^e  shall  pay. 

834.  is  spent  =  is  to  be  spent,  —  shall  be  spent. 

835.  y(?;'//^<?/'=  further ;  from  the  root /ore. 
tivynne^^to  proceed  in  different  directions. 

"  Yet  can  I  make  other  folk  to  twinne 
From  avarice."     C.T.  12,364. 
*'  Leoue  ureond  beoth  sorie  hwon  heo  schulen  twinnen."    An.  R. 
396.     Dear  friends  are  sad  when  they  must  part. 

836.  Which  />^a^  =  which  ;  whoever  it  may  be  that. 

83S.  ner  for  nerre^=  nearer.  Near  is  strictly  the  comparative 
of  A.S.  neah,  nigh,  as  next  is  the  superlative.  We  have  taken 
this  comparative  as  a  new  base,  and  compare  it  as  though  it  were 
a  positive  ;  so  that  nearer  {neah-er-er)  is  really  a  double  compar- 
ative, while  next  (A.S.  neahst)  has  lost  all  conscious  relation 
with  near. 

840.  lat  he,  &c.  =  cease  your  shamfastness ;  cf.  the  colloquial 
expression  "  let  me  be." 

schainfastnesse=  modesty.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  we  have 
given  a  false  idea  to  this  beautiful  word  by  a  vicious  orthography, 
—  shamefacedness.  The  termination  \s  fast,  fixed,  as  in  stead- 
fast =^  fixed  in  place,  ya5^  asleep  =  fixed  in  sleep.  The  Old  Eng- 
lish soothfast,  truthful,  is  also  unfortunately  obsolete.  Shajue- 
fast  =  fixed  in  modesty. 

841.  iVe  =  and  not,  like  Lat.  ne. 

ley  to.  In  modern  English  when  verbs  and  prepositions  are 
compounded,  the  preposition  usually  stands  last,  like  the  sepa 


l86  NOTES   TO   THE  PROLOGUE. 

rable  prepositions  in  German,  unless  the  two  have  coalesced  into 
a  new  idea,  so  that  the  force  of  the  preposition  is  no  longer  dis- 
tinctly recognized.  Such  prepositions  are  usually  erroneously 
classed  as  adverbs.  Inattention  to  the  true  construction  of  the 
preposition  has  occasioned  this  error,  and  not  infrequently  an 
entire  misconception  of  certain  expressions,  as  "  and  all  to-brake 
his  skull."  Judges  ix.  53.  Here  all  (properly  alle,  adverbial 
dative)  is  an  adverb  emphasizing  the  verb.  To  adds  the  idea  of 
completeness  in  this  case.  In  other  cases  it  has  its  true  prepo- 
sitional force;  e.g.,  "  He  that  hath  received  his  testimony  hath 
set  to  (set-to)  his  seal  that  God  is  true."  John  iii.  33.  Set-to 
=  affixed.  Ley-to  is  here  the  A.S.  to-lecgati,  and  is  used  pre- 
cisely as  set-to  in  the  passage  quoted. 

There  is  here  a  fine  touch  of  humor  in  the  implied  fact  that 
all  except  the  Knight,  the  Prioress,  and  the  Clerk,  pressed  for- 
ward to  "draw  cuts,"  while  these  three  hung  back  through  a 
native  modesty. 

846.  ivkich  refers  to  the  fact  stated  in  the  former  sentence, 
and  not  to  any  particular  word. 

847.  as  tvas  resou7i  =  as  was  reasonable. 

848.  By  =  according  to. 
composicioun  =  agreement. 

"  I  crave  our  composition  may  be  written."     Shak. 
Resoiin  and  Composicioun  are  still  French  words  to  Chaucer, 
as  is  shown  by  the  accent. 

849.  ivhat  needeth  xvordes  moo  =  w\\:ii  need  is  there  of  more 
words.?  literally,  as  to  what  (why)  does  it  [to  show  this]  need 
more  words.'' 

tv/iat,  ace,  used  adverbially  like  Lat.  quid. 

needeth,  impersonal.  *'  The  impersonal  needs  [needeth] 
(which  must  be  distinguished  from  the  adverbial  genitive  needs') 
...  is  often  found  with  xvhat,  where  it  is  sometimes  hard  to  say 
whether  what  is  an  adverb  and  need  a  verb,  or  ivhat  an  adjective 
and  need  a  noun."  Abbott,  Shak-  Gr.  §  297.  In  this  case  the 
termination  (changed  in  Shakspeare  to  5  and  dropped)  indicates 
the  verbal  character  oi  needeth,  and  the  construction  is  clear. 

851.  As  he  that  zvys  xvas ;  i.e.,  as  he  who  was  wise  and  ready 
to  keep  his  promise  of  his  own  free  will  would  say,  so  he  said. 

854.  TF-^a// an  exclamation.      P^F>^j/ is  used  similarly. 
a  Goddes  name  =  in  God's  name  ;  a  =  in. 

855.  herkneth  tvhat^^-  listen  to  what.     This  use  of  hearken  as 


NOTES    TO    THE  PROLOGUE.  187 

a  transitive  verb,  although  frequent  in  Milton  and  Shakspeare, 
is  now  obsolete. 

856.  rviih  has  here  nearly  its  original  force  of  immediate  jux- 
taposition. 

riden-for/h,  to  be  taken  together.     Cf.  forth-going. 
lueye,  ace.,  of  cognate  signification.     Cf.  "  to  go  a  journej," 
"  to  dream  a  dream." 

857.  right  a  inerie  chere^^'x'C^  a  right  merry  countenance. 
"  This  usage  [inserting  a]  is  found  in  the  earlier  text  of  Lay- 
amon  (a.d.  1200),  'long  a  time  (longe  ane  stunde),'  ii.  290, 
where  the  adjective  appears  merely  to  be  emphasized  and  not 
used  adverbially.  In  the  later  text  the  adjective  is  placed  here 
and  in  other  passages  in  its  ordinary  position."  Abbott,  Shak. 
Gr.,  §  85. 


NOTES   TO   THE    KNIGHTES   TALE. 


NOTES    TO    THE   KNIGHTES    TALE. 


2.  duk^=duke,  king;  literally,  leader.  Titles  of  rank  were 
nearly  all  of  military  origin. 

5.  That  grettere,  &c.  =that  there  was  none  greater. 

6.  Contre.  See  note,  p.  216.  Accented  here  on  the  first 
syllable;  in  1.  11,  on  the  last. 

7.  That  refers  to  swi'c/i,  1.  4. 

9.  C/V^ca  =  Scythia. 

10.  /ic.  Subject  inserted,  although  the  sentence  is  connected 
to  the  preceding  by  and.  When  a  proper  name  is  separated  from 
the  verb,  or  when  from  the  number  of  conjunctional  sentences 
the  connection  would  be  obscure,  the  redundant  pronoun  sub- 
ject is  often  inserted.     See  Abbott,  Shak.  Gr.  §§  242,  243. 

12.  7noc/ic  glori'e^^^  great  glory.     Muck  when  used  alone  has 
now  rather  a  collective  sense,  a  great  number,  a  great  amount. 
14.  Scan  :  And  thus  |  with  vie  |  tor'  i'and  1  &c. 

16.  ^05/  =  army.     Lat.  j^^5//5,  an  enemy. 

«;'w^5  =  weapons.  "As  the  arm  itself  is  the  natural  weapon 
of  offence,  it  is  possible  that  the  word  arm  in  the  sense  of  weapon 
may  be  simply  an  application  of  the  same  word."  Wedgwood. 
See  note  P.,  iii. 

17.  A^<? re  =  ne  were ^^  were  not. 

/£>  =  too,  in  addition.  To  and  too  are  differences  in  spelling 
the  same  word.  From  the  idea  of  «^-dition  implied  in  to.,  we 
gain  the  idea  oi  too. 

To  heere.     Gerundial  inf. 

21.  for  the  vo7ies.     See  note  P.,  379. 

26.  Tempest,  a  time  specially  to  be  remembered.  See  note 
P.,  406.     Tyrwhitt  reads  temple. 

hoom  comyjige.     Can  be  construed  as  a  comp'ound  noun. 

27.  as  now  =  for  the  present,  however;  cf.  Lat.  utcunquc. 


192  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIQETES   TALE. 

28.  God  -wot  =  God  "knows]  a  mild  form  of  asseveration. 

e/-e  =  plough.  Earth  is  from  this  root.  "I  have  a  rough 
valley  which  is  neither  eared  nor  sown."  Deut.  xxi.  4.  "I  have 
an  half  acre  to  erje."     P.P.  vi.  4. 

29.  hi  my  ^plough  =  attached  to  mj  plough.  We  use  on  in 
similar  constructions. 

31.  I  ivol  not  lettc,  &c.  =  I  desire  not  to  hinder  any  one  of  all 
this  company. 

Lette,  inf.  after  wol. 

eek  nan  =  none  at  all :  literally,  "  also  no  one." 

32.  aboute  =  in  his  turn. 

33.  lat  see  =  \Qt  us  see.  Pronoun  omitted,  or  coalesced  with 
verb,  as  though  lat  s'see. 

34.  ther  I  lafte  =  where  I  left  off. 

37.  moste  ^ryde  =^  greatest  pride. 

38.  He  was  war  =  he  was  aware.  War  denotes  those  habits 
implying  caution,  as  looking  around,  also  the  results  of  such 
circumspection,  knowledge ;  cf.  aivare,  beware,  wary. 

caste,  pret.     Verbs  ending  in  t  are  often  thus  abbreviated. 

39.  /lye  weye  =  highway.  High  refers  not  to  altitude,  but  to 
prominence,  —  opposed  to  hy-y^ay.  So  A.S.  heah  synn  =  a  great 
sin,  and  English  high  sea. 

40.  tweye  and  tzveye  =  two  and  two  ;  by  twos. 

41.  Ech  after  other  =  (each)  one  after  another.  Other  is  not 
now  used  in  such  constructions  without  the  article.  Other  is  in 
form  comparative  and  strictly  means  the  second  of  two,  and 
thus  in  A.S.  is  frequently  used  where  we  use  second;  cf.  Lat. 
alter  =  secutidus. 

43.  creature,  trissj'llable. 

44.  That  herde  =  that  ever  heard. 

such  another  =  another  such.  We  say  such  a,  but  not  such 
another,  because  of  the  duality  implied  in  another;  if  the  dis- 
tributive force  of  another  had  been  retained,  the  old  form  would 
be  more  correct;  cf.  many  a.     See  note,  P.  168. 

48.  Pertourben  —  disturb.  We  have  retained  the  noun  J>er- 
turbation,  but  the  verb  is  obsolete. 

50.  that  thus  =  that  ye  thus,  &c.  That  correlates  with  so  in 
the  preceding  line. 

52.  telleth,  imp.  And  tell  me  (what  is  the  matter)  if  it  is 
any  thing  that  may  be  amended. 

53.  And  xuhy  —  tell  me  why. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIQHTES   TALE.  193 

al  in  blak  =  wholly  in  black. 

56.  I?ou^//e  =  sorrowful;  UteraUy  sofrozi/.  I^u^/i/ess  is  current, 
but  rii//i  is  obsolete. 

Jbr  to  seeft  or  heere,  gerundial  inf.  triste  visit,  audiiuque. 

57.  Fortune.     Personified  as  the  goddess  of  Fortune. 
59.  Nought  =^  710  tu/iit  =^  in  no  respect,  ace.  of  measure, 

62.  thurg  =^  through. 

63.  xvrecchede  =  wretched.  A.S.  ivraec,  banished,  ivraecca., 
an  exile.  What  an  intense  patriotism  is  summed  up  in  this 
designation  of  the  exile  as  the  wretch !  As  these  women  had 
been  banished,  the  word  retains  its  original  force. 

65.  That  sche  =  who  ;  cf.  that  he,  P.  43-45  ;  that  his  =  whose, 
K.  1852.  This  use  of  the  demonstrative  with  that  is  common  in 
A.S. ;  e.g., ///c  we?  =  we;  thu  the  =  \\\\o\  the  ^^  =  who;  the  his  = 
whose;  the  him,  to  whom,  &c.     See  March,  A.S.  Gram.  §  380,  2. 

66.  it  is  vjel  scene  =  it  is  easily  seen,  —  it  is  easy  to  see. 

67.  Wheel.  The  -wheel  of  Fortune  alludes  to  the  mutability 
of  her  favor. 

68.  Who  assures  no  condition  to  continue  prosperous. 

69.  <7^/^<?;^  =  await.  The  active  force  of  the  prefix  is  lost; 
bide  is  now  active,  as  "  bide  one's  time,"  while  abide  is  usually 
neuter. 

70.  Scan  :  Here  in  |  the  tempi'  |  of  the  |  goddesse  |  Clemence. 

71.  al  this  fourtenight  —  fully  this  fortnight.  The  A.S.  reck- 
oned time  by  nights  and  winters. 

72.  syth  =  since.  "  Sith  thou  hast  not  hated  blood."  Ezek. 
XXXV.  6. 

73.  I zurecche  =  I  the  wretch. 
"juhich  that  =  who. 

75.  cursed.     See  note,  P.  6<,i,. 

78.  We  lostcn  alle^^we  all  lost.  "  In  many  things  we  ofl:end 
all."    Jas.  iii.  2. 

79.  ther  aboute  =  thereabout;  literally,  about  this. 

80.  A/id yet.  notwithstanding  what  we  have  already  suflfered. 

81.  Who  is  now  lord  of  the  city  Thebes. 

83.  for  despyt^  because  of  his  malice. 

84.  To  do  vilei?ive  =  to  cause  disgrace  to.  Do  is  here  used 
causativelv,  —  "  do  vou  to  wit." 

vileinye  =  the  act  of  a  villain ;  that  which  marks  a  villain, 
disgrace. 

85.  Of  alle  oure  lordcs,  limits  bodies,  in  next  line. 

13 


194  NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

90.  ivitkoute  more  respite^  without  further  delay. 

91.  T/iey  Jillcn  g->'uf=i\-\ey  ie.\\  flat  on  the  ground.  Gruf^= 
on  the  ground.  "On  the  grofte"  =  flat  on  the  ground.  We 
find  also  grubblings  =  with  the  face  downward.  The  root  is 
probably  to  be  found  in  the  Danish  grabbeleji,  to  crawl,  Eng. 
grovel. 

94.  courser ^=  horse;  literally,  a  runner;  hence,  a  fleet  horse; 
also  a  horse  used  in  hunting.  "  Un  cheval  coursi'er,  c'est  a  dire  un 
cheval  reserve  a  la  course,  par  opposition  aux  chevaux  de  trait." 
Brachet,  165. 

96.  Him  t/iougkt  =  it  seemed  to  him.     See  note  P.,  37. 

99,  he  hem    alle  up  hente  =  he  took  them  all  up. 

100.  in  fill  good  e7itente  =  with  very  kind  intention. 

102.  He  ix'olde  don  =  he  would  endeavor.  Do  is  here  used 
causatively. 

ferforthly  his  might  =  according  to  his  might.     Might  must 
be  construed  as  dative  after  the  implied  comparative. 

104.    That,  correlative  o^ so,  1.  102. 

106.  As  he  that  =  as  one  who.  He  that  =  who.  For  this  in- 
definite use  oi who  see  note  P.,  741. 

108.  bancr  =  banner.  "  The  origin  is  in  all  probability  Goth. 
bafidvo,  bandva,  a  sign,  token,  an  intimation  made  by  bending 
the  head  or  hand.  The  original  object  of  a  standard  is  to  serve 
as  a  mark  or  sign  for  the  troop  to  rally  round,  and  it  was  accord- 
ingly very  generally  known  by  a  name  having  that  signification." 
Wedgwood. 

desplayeth  =  displays.  Displaying  the  banner  was  the  signal 
for  the  troops  to  assemble  for  military  service. 

109.  byside  =  nesir ;  with  him.  Here  used  adverbially,  unless 
we  supply  the  pronoun. 

111.  Nor  take  his  ease  a  whole  half  da^^  7^////y  qualifies  half 
used  adjectively. 

112.  But  onward  =hut  at  a  distance  on  his  way. 

117.  Scan  :  The  reed  |  e  stat  |  u'of  Mars  |  &c. 

118.  his;  i.e.,  Theseus's. 

119.  Jecldes  =  the  fields  or  open  spaces  of  the  banner.  Some 
take  the  word  to  mean  /bids. 

120.  pynoun  =  pennon.  The  banner  was  the  standard  of  the 
army;  the  pennon  was  the  personal  signal  of  the  leader. 

121.  Of  gold  fill  riche.  A.S.  gen.  of  material;  modifies  i-bete. 
In  which  there  was  forged  of  gold  full  rich  the  Minotaur. 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  195 

?-^^^5  =  beaten.     "Probably  stamped;   that  operation  being 
anciently,  I  suppose,  performed  by  the  hammer."     Tyrwhitt. 
124.  And  the  flower  of  chivalry  (rides)  in  his  host. 
//^fl5/=host.     Lat.  hosiis,  an  enemy. 

126.  he  t/ionghte  Jigkie  =  \\Q.  purposed  to  fight.  Thought  is 
from  A.S.  the?ican ;  the  intransitive  thought,  followed  by  the 
dative,  is  from  thincan. 

127.  But,  to  speak  briefly,  he  fought  with  Creon,  who  was 
king  of  Thebes. 

129.  as  a  knight  =^  like  a  knight.  As  is  a  contraction  o^  all-so, 
with  the  sense  oi  just  as,  Just  so. 

130.  In  pleyn  battaille  =  in  open  battle. 
Putte,  p.  of  put. 

135.  To  don  exequies  ^=^io  perform  funeral  rites. 

136.  al  to  longe=  too  tedious. 

139.  hodyes.  A.S.  bodig  generally  means  stature,  and  is  but 
rarely  used  to  designate  the  body.  "The  primary  sense  of  body 
is  the  thick  round  part  of  the  living  frame,  as  distinguished  from 
the  limbs  or  lesser  divisions;  then  the  whole  material  fraine  as 
distinguished  from  the  sentient  principle  by  which  it  is  ani- 
mated."    Wedgwood. 

146.  as  him  leste^=  as  it  pleased  him. 

148.  streepe^io  strip.  A.S.  be-strypan ;  cf.  stripe,  strip, 
strap,  strop.  The  original  idea  of  the  verb  is  to  pull  off"  strips; 
hence  applied  to  plundering  the  dead  by  taking  oflf  their  cloth- 
ing; also  figuratively  to  a  stripping  of  the  living,  which  leaves 
them  equally  bare. 

he rneys  =  iivmor.     See  note  P.,  114. 

we^e  =  clothing.  Still  retained  in  "widows'  weeds,"  and 
from  this  restriction  to  mourning  attire,  noting  also  an  emblein 
of  mourning  worn  upon  a  man's  hat.  Weed,  a  noxious  plant, 
is  probably  from  the  Dutch  ivieden,  to  cleanse,  although  Trench 
says,  "  'Weeds'  were  w^hatever  covered  the  earth  or  the  person." 
Eng.  Past  and  Pres.,  253. 

149.  pilours.     See  notes  P.,  177,  627. 

diden  busi?iess  and  c«r^  =  exercised  diligence  and  care.  To 
ransake,  1.  147,  depends  upon  this  verb. 

151.  And  so  byjil=2n\d  so  it  happened. 

152.  Thurgh-girt  =  ^\ei'CQd  through.  An  ox  is  said  to  gird 
with  his  horns. 

153.  by-and-by=  close  to  each  other,  —  one  after  the  other. 


196 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGRTES   TALE, 


"  Of  that  the  planetes  by  and  by 
How  that  tliey  stonde  upon  the  sky." 

Gower  iii.  116. 
"By  and  by  he  is  offended;"  i.e.,  immediately.     Matt.  xiii.  21. 
Morris  explains  by  mid  by  =  separately,  which  seems  to  me  erro- 
neous, as  the  original  force  of  by  is  near. 

154.  iji  oon  armes  =  with  the  same  armorial  device.  Anns 
in  the  plural  denoting  a  singular  idea  is  construed  in  the  sin- 
gular. 

155.  that  oon  =  the  one  ;  in  which  case  the  retains  its  original 
demonstrative  force  :  so  that  other  =  the  other. 

157.  Nat  fully  quyke  =  not  fully  alive.  "  Let  them  go  down 
quick  (alive)  into  hell."     Ps.  Iv.  15. 

Ne  fully  deede=  nor  fully  dead.     Neither  dead  nor  alive. 

159.  Hcraudes  =  \\eYii\d's>.  An  officer  whose  duty  it  was  to 
record  the  arms  of  the  nobility.  From  heri,  an  army,  and  wal- 
ten,  to  manage. 

771  special  =  especially. 

161.  5/5/re«  =  sisters  ;  still  sometimes  heard  in  vulgar  use;  of, 
brethren,  an  analogous  plural  in  en. 

162.  torn  implies  rapid  rather  than  violent  action. 
164.  fill so7ie  =  very  soon,  at  once. 

166.  he  7iolde  =  he  would  not  (take)  any  ransom.     Nolde  = 

ne  ivolde  =  wished  not. 

171.    Terme  of  his  lyf=  to  the  end  of  his  life.     Lat.  ter7m?ius, 
■what  7ieedeth  wordes  moo  =  what  need  is  there  of  more  words. 

Literally,  "As  to  what  does  it  need  more  words.?" 

176.  Til  it  fel  oo7ies  =  till  it  happened  on  a  time. 
In  a  morzvc  =  on  a  morning. 

177.  to  scene  =  to  see. 

180.  with  the  rose  colour  = -with,  the  colour  of  the  rose.  J^ose 
is  genitive  ;  cf.  Ladye  grace.     P.,  88. 

Sirof  hire  heive^^  vied  her  complexion. 

181.  I  not  =  1 7ie  ivot  =  I  know  not. 

183.  redy.  A.S.  rad,  quick,  ready;  comp.  rather.  So  E.E. 
rathe,  &7vc\y.     "  The  rathe  primrose."     Milton. 

185.  The  sesoun  friketh  ;  cf.  P.,  11. 

186.  hitn,  grammatically,  refers  to  herte  ;  logically,  to  the  per- 
son figuratively  designated  by  herte. 

187.  do  their  observance  =  perform  religious  rites.  Here 
spoken  of  as  performed  in  honour  of  May. 


NOTES   TO   TEE  KNIQHTES   TALE.  197 

1S8.  "This  caused  Emilj  to  have  remembrance  (to  remem- 
ber) to  do  honor  to  Maj."  This  circumlocution  is  frequent  in 
the  Bible. 

190.  for  to  devyse  =  to  describe  (her).  The  different  descrip- 
tive clauses  depend  upon  to  devyse.  Morris  points  —  I-clothed 
was  sche  fresshe  for  to  devyse. 

192.  yerde  =  a  yard  long.     See  note  P.,  149. 

193.  Sonne  tipriste  =  the  sun's  uprising.     Sonne  is  gen. 

194.  as  hire  liste=Q.?>  it  may  please  her.  Liste  is  here  used 
impersonally.     See  note  P.,  102. 

195.  ^ar/y  =  partly.     Yv.  en  ;partie  ;  z{.  particolored. 

196.  6'c/// =  subtle.  The  Latin,  subtilis,  dQnoted  Jine  xvoveti; 
hence  delicately  constructed,  or  denoting  ingenuity,  which  is 
the  meaning  here.  Metaphorically,  it  is  used  in  a  good  sense 
«=  acute ;  in  a  bad  sense  =  sly. 

g-erland  =  garland,  a  crown  or  wreath. 

199.  dongeouti  —  not  noting  a  dark  subterranean  place  of  con- 
finement, as  now,  but  simply  a  place  of  security.  The  origin  of 
the  word  is  the  Lat.  doninio  for  domi7iio.  Sometiines  spelled 
donjon;  cf.  the  Celtic  dun^  a  fortress. 

200.  Ther  as  =  where. 

201.  Of  -which t  &c.  =  of  whom  I  have  already  told  you,  and 
shall  tell  more. 

202.  evene  joynyng=^Q.yi2iQ.Wy  joining,  —  so  that  the  prison 
joined  the  garden  wall. 

gardeyn  ival.  The  genitive  force  of  the  first  of  the  two  nouns 
joined  is  shown  by  the  reference  of  as  to  gardey?i  —  to  the  wall 
of  the  garden  where,  &c. 

203.  hadde  hire pleyynge  =  had  her  play-ground,  —  was  accus- 
tomed to  take  her  exercise. 

205.  zvoful  =  full  of  wo,  or  sorrow. 

206.  dy  leve  of  his  gayler  =  by  permission  of  his  jailer. 

leve  =  \ea.ve,  permission.  A.S.  leaf  which  is  still  the  collo- 
quial pronunciation. 

,  207.  romede  =  roamed.  This  word  has  a  curious  history  :  it 
/is  derived  from  the  name  of  the  city  Rome,  and  probably  first 
I  came  into  use  as  a  noun,  — Romar  being  one  who  was  a  pilgrim 
I  to  that  Holy  City.  So  in  Pier's  PI.  iv.  120.  we  find  :  "  And  relig- 
!  ious  romares  recordare  in  here  cloistres."  The  habits  of  these 
)  pilgrims  were  not  generally  very  creditable,  and  hence  the  verb 
/o  r(?a;»  came  to  mean  aimless  and  indefinite  wandering.    Saunter 


198  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

has  a  similar  origin  :  it  is  from  sainte  terre,  the  holj  land.  Beg- 
gars roved  about  the  country,  and  asked  alms  under  the  pretence 
of  going  a  la  saitite  terre.  Hence  a  saiinterer  became  the  name 
of  an  idler,  and  to  saiuiter^  to  walk  idly.  Cf.  also  rummage^ 
spelled  also  romage. 

20S.  In  zvkich  =  froin  which  ;  being  in  which,  he  could  see. 

211.  'ivalk=o.  going  to  and  fro.  A.S.  ivealc,  literally  a 
revolving.  The  welkin  denotes  the  sky,  or  more  properly  the 
clouds,  which  are  in  continual  motion.  The  A.S.  verb  -wealcati 
=  to  roll,  to  return  often ;   hence,  to  walk. 

213.   romede  ^=  walked  aimlessly. 

215.   He  said  full  oft,  alas  !  that  he  was  born  ! 

2i6.  By  avetiture  or  cas=  by  adventure  or  chance.  See  notes 
P.,  25,  844. 

217.  thikke  of  many  a  barre  =  thickly  (set)  with  many  a  bar. 
thikke  denotes   close   together  rather   than    the   opposite  of 

broad  :  of  many  a  barre  is  an  adjunct  genitive,  denoting  the 
relation  of  the  quality. 

218.  5^//<7r  =  square ;  i.e.,  as  large  square:  here  denoting  size 
as  well  as  shape.  The  bars  were  as  large  as  a  spar  or  light  tiin- 
ber. 

219.  Caste,  pret. 

Scan  :  He  caste  |  his  eyen  |  upon  |  Emil  |  y-a  | 

220.  therzvitkal  ^  at  that  instant.  T/ier  here  =  at  that  time 
rather  than  in  that  place.  There  is  used  by  Shakspeare  for  then. 
This  is  simply  an  intensive  fonn  oi  there. 

Bleynte,  pr.  of  blenche,  to  start  back.  Blitik  is  another  form 
of  the  word,  meaning  a  rapid  movement  of  the  eyelids ;  hence 
any  rapid  movement,  sometimes  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving. 
The  figure  here  is  that  the  beauty  of  Emily  blinded  Palamon  like 
a  sudden  light. 

222.  ?/^  5/^r/e  =  started  up.  We  use  the  noun  formed  from 
this  compound,  up-start. 

223.  Cosyji  WJ7/ =  cousin  of  me,  my  cousin,     il/ivz  is  genitive. 
eyleth  the  =■  ?i.\\e\)i\  thee.     The   difference  in  spelling  between 

the  and  thee  is  an  orthographic  expedient  for  distinguishing  these 
words. 

224.  That  art  =  that  thou  art.  When  the  subject  of  the  verb 
is  a  pronoun,  particularly  of  the  second  person,  which  is  the 
most  easily  distinguished  because  of  its  inflection,  it  is  quite  often 
omitted  in  questions.     The  same  rule  holds  good  in  Shakspeare. 


NOTES    TO    THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  199 

on  to  see=to  look  on.  to  behold.  A.S.  on-seon.  We  do  not 
compound  see  with  on,  but  we  still  saj  see  through,  see  into. 

225.  cr)Y/(?5/^iv  =  criedst  thou.  This  contraction  of  the  second 
person  pronoun  with  the  verb  is  common;  and  is  interesting  as 
illustrating  the  mannep  of  forming  the  inflectional  terminations 
by  the  coalescence  of  the  pronominal  element.  In  most  inflected 
languages  the  pronominal  force  of  the  termination  was  so 
strongly  i-emembered  that  when  the  subject  of  the  verb  was  a 
pronoun,  no  repetition  of  it  Avas  necessary;  and  when^  the  pro- 
nominal subject  was  used,  it  was  understood  as  an  emphatic 
repetition. 

the^Xhce,  dative. 

226.  Goddcs  =  God''s.  The  apostrophe  in  our  possessive  case 
singular  marks  the  elision  o^  e  ;  in  the  plural,  it  regularly  marks 
the  elision  of  final  a ;  but  often  it  is  not  significant,  but  is  used 
analogically  with  the  singular. 

227.  non  other  =^x\Q  otherwise.  Other 'm  used  adverbially  = 
in  other  way. 

229.  ivikke  aspect  =^  malign  aspect.  In  the  time  of  astrology, 
the  position  (aspect)  of  the  planets  at  the  time  of  one's  birth, 
was  supposed  to  have  a  controlling  influence  upon  his  destiny. 
Some  of  these  astrological  terms  have  passed  into  common  use, 
2i^  jovial,  from  Jupiter;  saturnine,  from  Saturn,  who  was  sup- 
posed to  presage  a  hapless  lot  to  one  born  under  his  influence; 
mercurial,  from  Mercury;  lunatic  from  the  moon:  so  also  the 
word  injluejice  seems  to  allude  to  the  same  notion. 
•'  The  highest  and  aboven  alle 

Stant  that  planete  which  men  calle 

Saturnus,  whose  complexioun 

Is  colde,  and  his  condicioun 

Causeth  malice  and  cruelte 

To  him  the  whose  nativity 

Is  set  under  his  governaunce. 

For  all  his  werkes  ben  grievaunce. 

And  enemy  to  mannes  hele 

In  what  degre  that  he  shall  dele. 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  iii.  116. 

231.  although  ZL'e  hadde  it  sworn  =  although  we  had  sworn   it 

otherwise,  we  must  endure  it.     ^Morris  punctuates  this  clause  in 

connection    with  what   precedes;    it   seems    to    me    to    make    a 

better  reading  to  connect  it  with  the  next  line  but  one.    Although 


200  NOTES  TO   THE  KNIGHTES  TALE. 

must  then  be  taken  as  an  emphatic  form  of  thoit-gh  =  though  by  all 
means,  the  emphasis  implying  a  negative.  See  1.  312,  where  though 
=  though  otherwise.     Hadde  is  subj. 

"  And  walk  I  wold,  as  I  hadde  don  biforn 
Fro  lious  to  hous,  although  he  had  it  sworn."     Wif  of  B.  639. 

232.  So  stood  the  heven=^^\xz\\  was  our  horoscope. 

233.  the  schort  afid  pley7i  =  the  short  and  plain  fact,  —  as  we 
say  "the  long  and  short  of  it." 

234.  ageyii^  in  reply.  Agaiii  and  agaiiist  are  from  the  A.S. 
gean,  Ger.  gegen,  opposite.  Gean  is  usually  compounded  with 
prepositions  as  on,  to,  &c.  It  gets  the  meaning  "  at  another 
time"  from  the  idea  of  juxtaposition  in  space.  Cf.  there  =  then; 
where  =  when. 

235.  for  sothe  =  in  truth  ;  forsooth. 

iT^i.  ymagi7iacioun  =  conception.  "To  imagine  certainly 
meant,  in  its  original  conception,  to  make  pictures,  to  picture  to 
ourselves ;  but  even  to  picture  is  far  too  mixed  an  idea  to  have 
been  expressed  by  a  simple  root.  Imago,  picture,  stands  for 
mimago,  as  imitor  for  miinitor,  the  Greek  inimeomai,  all  from  a 
root  ma,  to  measure  again  and  again,  to  copy,  to  imitate."  M. 
Miiller,  Sc.  of  Lang.  358. 

237.    This  prisouji  =  this  imprisonment,  —  cause  put  for  effect. 

239.  that  refers  to  the  idea  of  the  antecedent  sentence,  —  the 
hurt. 

241.   rome,  infinitive.     We  would  say  roatnijig. 

243.  I  iiot^^  I ne  -ivot  =  I  know  not. 

Scan  :  I  not  |  wheth'r  sche  |  be  wom  |  man  or  |  goddesse. 
ivhether  was  sometimes  pronounced  and  spelled  like  where. 

244.  Venus  is  it ;  cf.  it  is  I.  It  is  used  wdien  the  subject  is 
indefinite  or  unknown. 

245.  o?i  knees,  equivalent  to  an  adverb.  We  say  aback,  A.S. 
07ibaec ;  ahead,  for  on-head ;  afoot,  for  on-foot,  and  why  not  a- 
knee  for  on-knees .'' 

247.  Thus  to  transfigure  yourself  in  this  garden. 

Y01V.  There  is  no  simple  reflexive  pronoun  in  English ;  it  is 
generally,  but  not  always,  formed  by  adding  self,  selves  to  the 
personals. 

249.  The  usual  construction  in  modern  English  would  be, 
"  Help  us  to  escape,"  &c.  The  construction  in  the  text  is  an 
imitation  of  the  Latin. 

5ca/e  =  escape.    The  original  of  this  word  is  probably  allied 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  20I 

to  A.S.  camp,  battle;  so  that  escape  would  originally  mean  to 
escape  from  battle. 

250.  if  so  be  =  if  it  so  be. 

schape  =  shapen,  shaped,  fixed.  "  There's  a  divinity  that 
shapes  our  ends."     Shak. 

252.  lyna^'e  =  linea.ge,  race.  Fr.  lignage,  Lat.  linea,  a  line. 
Lyniage  is  here  in  the  genitive  after  have  compassioun  =  pity. 

254.  gan  espye  =  did  see,  saw,  looked.     See  note  P.,  827. 

256.  httrte  =  wounded.  The  original  meaning  seems  to  be 
ivoicnded  by  something  throxvfi,  cf.  hurtle. 

237.  if  that  =  if  it  be  that,  if. 

262.  mercy  =  Y>\^y.     Fr.  merci,  literally  ^aj,  Lat.  merces. 

263.  atte  leste  xveye  =  at  least;  cf.  colloquial  least-ways. 

264.  I  nam  but  deed  =  I  am  dead;  literally,  I  am  not  except 
dead,  — I  am  only  dead.  No  but  was  frequently  used  in  E.E.  for 
except.  "  No  but  a  man  schal  be  born  agen."  John  iii.  3 
(Wiclif). 

ther  nys  no  more  to  5c>'e  =  there  is  no  more  to  say;  there  is 
nothing  else  to  say. 

268.  byjny  fey  =^hy  my  faith. 

269.  God  hcipe  me  50  =  may  God  so  help  me.  The  verb  is 
Bubj. ;  cf.   "God  do  so  to  me  and  more  also."     Bible. 

me  lust  ful  evele  pleye  =  it  pleases  me  full  ill  to  play.  I^ul 
svele  modifies  lust. 

270.  gan  knytte  =^  knitted,  knit. 

271.  It  nere,  &c.  =  It  were  no  great  honor  to  thee. 

272.  For  to  be  fals.  The  infinitive  is  here  construed  as  a 
substantive  after  the  preposition. 

274.  i-swore  ful  deepe  =  very  firmly  sworn.  Deepe,  deeply 
seems  to  allude  to  the  practice  of  binding  a  compact  by  drinking 
together. 

Eche  of  us  to  other  =  each  of  us  to  the  other.  We  prefix  the 
article  to  other.     "Let  each  esteem  other."     Phil.  ii.  3. 

275.  "That  never  for  (fear  of )  dying  by  torture,"  &c.  That 
is  here  the  sentence-article  which  in  modern  English  is  not  used 
with  the  infinitive.  For  originally  means  /;/  front  of ;  hence  it 
may  be,  as  here,  nearly  equivalent  to  to  prevent ;  cf.  : 

"  And  over  that  an  habergeon  for  percing  of  his  hert." 

Rime  of  Sir  Thopas. 
The  payne  =  torture ;  to  deyen  in  the  payne  =  to  die  by  tor- 
ture. 


202  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIOHTES   TALE. 

**  It  nedeth  nought   to  pyne  you  with  the  corde."     K.,  888. 
"  Me  were  lever  die  in  the paineJ'''     R.R.,  3326. 
Morris  renders   this  verse:   "That  never,  even  though  it  cost  us 
a  miserable  death." 

276.  The  decth  =  death.  The  article  by  its  demonstrative 
force  adds  emphasis  ;  we  can  only  use  it  w^ith  an  intervening 
adjective,  as,  "  the  inevitable  death." 

Defarte  =  separate.  De  here  is  from  di  or  dis,  denoting  sep- 
aration. The  old  reading  of  the  marriage  service  was,  "Til  death 
us  depart,"  which  becoming  unintelligible  was  corrupted  into 
do  part.  "  That  he  depart  with  me  the  eritage."  Luke  xii.  13 
(Wiclif). 

277.  To  hyndre7i^  to  be  construed  with  i-swore,  1.  274. 

282.  Thou  durst  it  nat  zvithsay?i  =  thou  durst  it  not  deny. 
With  has  here  its  primitive  force,  denoting  opposition. 

283.  Thus ;  i.e.,  by  thine  oath.  Thus  is  the  A.S.  instrumental 
thys  =  by  this. 

Of  my  coujiscil=^  my  adviser.  Cf.  the  legal  phrase  "to  be  of 
"  counsel." 

284.  hen  a3oute  =  ready  to.  The  first  meaning  of  about  is 
around ;  hence,  metaphorically,  to  compass  a  matter  in  the  mind, 
to  intend;  cf.  "compassing  the  king's  death." 

2S6.  ujito  my7i  herte  sterve  =  until  my  heart  shall  die. 

unto  =  until.     Now  generally  denotes  space  rather  than  time. 

sterve^^  die.  Here  used  in  subj.  Notice  that  this  subj.  form 
takes,  in  modern  English,  the  auxiliary  shall.  The  idea  of  con- 
tingency involved  in  the  subjunctive  readily  implies  futurity,  as 
futurity  may  also  imply  contingency. 

287.  thou  schalt  not  so  =  thou  oughtest  not  (to  say)  so.  Schal, 
in  Chaucer,  often  implies  obligation,  and  must  be  construed  as 
a  leading  verb. 

288.  the  =  thee:  dative. 

289.  As  to  my  counsei'l  ==  as  to  my  adviser  :  one  bound  in  honor 
to  assist  me.  Morris  renders  counsei'l  by  advice,  which  hardly 
seems  admissible.  The  figure  seems  to  be  taken  from  the  rela- 
tion of  a  legal  adviser  to  a  client. 

my  brother  szuorji  to  forthre  me,  in  the  same  construction  as 
counseil,  and  an  elaboration  of  the  same  idea.  Covmsel  would 
be  bound  in  honor  to  assist  him;  a  brother  would  still  further  be 
bound  by  affection :  to  which  he  also  adds  his  obligation  as  a 
knight. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE,  203 

293.  /  dar  ivel  sayn  =  I  dare  with  reason  to  say. 

294.  agayn  =  in  reply. 

295.  T/ioii  schalt  be  rather  fals,  &c.  Thou  art  sure  to  be 
false  before  me,  —  sooner  than  I.     On  this  use  of  sc/ial,  cf.  1.  287. 

296.  itttcrly  =  wholly .  Gower  (iii.  230)  writes  oultrely^  as  from 
Lrat.  ultra. 

297.  par  amoiir=  with  (human)  love.     See  1.  301. 
er  t/iozv  =  hefove  thou  didst. 

298  What  xvolt  thou  sayn.  Arcite  here  assumes  the  character 
of  a  special  pleader  (counseil),  and  goes  into  legal  subtleties.  It 
is  worthy  of  note,  how  the  poet  has  prepared  the  way  for  this 
scene  by  the  use  of  the  word  coujiseil,  1.  283. 

300.   "Thine  is  the  affection  one  may  have  for  a  saint." 

304.  I  pose  =  1  put  the  case;  I  suppose.  Ci.  poser,  a  puzzling 
question,  such  as  are  asked  by  lawyers  in  a  cross-examination. 

305.  the  olde  clerkes  sawe  =  ihe  old  writer's  saying.  The  old 
clerk  is  Boethius,  from  whom  Chaucer  has  borrowed  largely. 

306.  77/«/ refers  to  the  saying  quoted;  cf.  "Did  he  %^y  that 
he  would  come  .-* " 

307.  Ziy  ;«j//«;/  =  by  my  head. 

308.  be  yeve  to  any,  &c.  =  be  given  to  any.  Tyrwhitt  reads 
of  any=hy  an  v. 

309.  posityf  lawe ^=  QyiY>re?>?,  enactment;   statute  law. 
such  decre  =  such  stipvilation. 

310.  in  ech  degree  =  in  every  rank  of  life. 

311.  «<?^^(?5  =  needs,  necessarily.  "And  he  must  needs  go 
through  Samaria."    John  iv.  4. 

Maugre  his  heed  =  in  spite  of  his  head. 

"  And  God  wot  that  is  malgre  min  "  [in  spite  of  me]. 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  ii.  3. 

312.  though  he  schulde  be  deed  =  though  (if  he  does  not  flee  it) 
he  must  die.     On  though,  see  note  1.  231. 

313.  a/ =  although,  albeit  that;  cf.  1.  1617. 

314.  And  eek  it  is,  &c.  =  besides,  to  stand  in  her  favor  is  not 
likelv  all  thy  life.     It  refers  to  to  stojiden. 

318.  us  gayneth  tio  raunsoic7i  =  no  ransom  avails  to  us. 
320-  here  part  =^  W\^\x   share  was   nothing:   neither  received 
any  part. 

324.  "  Let  each  man  look  out  for  himself;  there  is  no  other 
way." 

325.  if  the  list  =  if  it  pleases  thee. 


204  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

327.  endure  =  to  remain.     "  His  mercy  endureth  for  ever." 

328.  everych  of  us  ^=  each  one  of  us. 
330.   "  If  I  only  had  leisure  to  tell  it." 

335.   Syjt  thilke  day  ^  since  that  day.      T'/nlke  =  that  same. 
337.  to  pleye=io  enjoy  himself.      His   visit  was   partly  for 
recreation. 

341.  i/iat  oon  =  the  one,  one  of  them. 

sothly  to  telle  =  to  speak  trulv,  —  to  tell  the  story  as  it  is. 

342.  /lelle  ==  hell,  —  the  unseen  world.  A.S.  /lelan,  to  conceal. 
Cf.  Greek,  Hades. 

343.  "But  to  write  of  that  story  is  not  my  intention,"  — 
pleases  me  not. 

345.   hadde  him  kfiowe  =  had  known  hiin. 

yeer  by  yeer  =  year  after  year ;  continually.  "  Day  by  day  we 
magnify  thee."     See  K.,  175. 

350.  /;/  such  a  g-yse=^  in  such  a  manner;  i.e.,  upon  such  con- 
ditions. 

352.  hi)n  Arcite  =  \\\\^  Arcite.  The  third  personal  pronoun 
was  originally  a  demonstrative,  and  hence  was  declined  in  the 
three  genders.     See  1.  355,  "this  Theseus." 

353.  if  so  ivere=^\i  so  it  were;  if  so  it  should  happen.  The 
omission  of  the  subject  pronoun  in  impersonal  constructions  is 
common  in  Chaucer.  "And  so  byfel,"  K.,  151,216;  "as  hire 
liste,"  194;  "if  so  be,"  250;  "  lyst  me,"  343. 

356.  and  =  if.  The  contingency  is  expressed  by  the  subj., 
and  being  the  connective.  When  the  contingent  force  of  the 
verb  was  lost,  zf  was  added,  so  that  we  find  and  if:  but  is  used 
precisely  in  the  same  way,  where  later  we  find  but  if.  "  And  they 
shall  say  to  you,  See  here,  or  See  there."     Luke  xvii.  23. 

vjere  caught  connected  by  and  to  were  yfounde,  1.  353.  We 
would  omit  he  or  repeat  if. 

359.  But  took  his  leave  =  but  he  took  his  leave.  Subject 
omitted.     Tj'rwhitt  reads  taketh. 

360.  be  war=  be  cautious.     Usually  written  beware, 
lith  to  rvedde=  lieth  in  pledge. 

362.  The  deth  =  he  feeleth  death  smite  through  his  heart. 
See  note,  1.  276. 

364.  "  He  watcheth  for  an  opportunity  to  slay  himself 
secretly." 

365.  Alias  the  day,  &c.     T>ay  is  ace. ;  cf  Lat.  heu  me  miserum. 
367.  Notv  is  me  sc/iape=  now  is  it  appointed  for  me. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  205 

to  d-ivelle  is  the  subject  of  /5;  me  is  dative. 

368.  Scan  :  Nought  |  in  pur  |  gato  |  rie  but  |  in  helle. 

373.    Oojily  qualifies  sighte  as  a  verbal  =  the  seeing. 

378.  il/a/5/ozy  =  majest  thou.     See  note,  1.  225. 

379.  paradys,  to  be  pronounced  par'dys. 

380.  ytorned  the  =  turned  for  thee. 

382.  for  possible  /5  =  for  it  is  possible.  The  sentence  begin- 
ning 1.  384,  is  the  subject  of  is. 

388.  erthe^  water,  fyr,  ne  eyr.  Earth,  water,  fire,  and  air 
were  called  the  four  elements,  as  from  them  all  things  were 
supposed  to  have  been  made.  Cicero  sajs,  "  Omnia  elementa 
sunt  quatuor." 

"  Of  this  four  elements  ech  quik  thing  y-maked  is, 
Of  urthe,  of  water,  and  of  eyr,  and  of  fier,  i-wis." 

Pop.  Treat,  on  Science,  p.  138.     Wright. 

389.  creature,  trissyllable. 

390.  7ne  helpe.     Me  is  dative  after  helpe,  as  in  A.S. 

.dooii  cou/brt  =^  afford  me  comfort.  The  termination  here 
shows  that  doon  is  infinitive ;  the  final  e  in  helpe  indicates  the 
same  construction. 

391.  Wei  oicghte  /=  I  must  indeed.  See  note  P.,  505.  "  Wei 
oughte  we  to  don."  2d  Nonnes  Tale,  6.  So  also  as  an  imper- 
sonal:  "  Wei  oughte  us  werke."     lb.  14. 

wrt;/>^ci^^  =  despair.  A  beautiful  old  Saxon  word,  which  is 
unfortunately  obsolete.  "  Wanhope,  —  hope  that  has  wholly 
waned."     Trench. 

396.  ^cwz^t'/^^  themselves.  Hem  is  here  dative  pi.  =  the  self 
to  them  :  so  himself  retains  the  dative  form,  which  is  now  gen- 
erally used  as  an  accusative,  and  =  the  self  to  him. 

397.  So7n  man  =  one  man.  Som  .  .  .  som  =  one  .  .  .  another. 
Used  indefinitely  like  Lat.  ^uis. 

richesse  —  riches.  This  word  is  singular,  although  from  the 
termination  it  appears  to  be  plural. 

398.  "That  is  (proves  to  be)  the  cause  of  his  murder." 
■morthre  =  murder.     Still  a  vulgar  pronunciation. 

399.  "And  another  man  would  fain  (be)  out  of  his  prison." 
After  -would  the  dependent  verb  is  frequently  omitted. 

400.  That  —  /5  =  who  .  .  .  after  his  wish  is  granted  is  slain  by 
his  servants. 

401.  /;//f;//Vg  =  unnumbered,  —  usually  restricted  to  measure 
of  wholes,  and  followed  by  a  singular  noun. 


2o6  NOTES    TO   THE  KNIQHTES   TALE. 

402.  "  We  know  not  what  it  is  that  we  pray  for  here." 
pi-ayen  =  pray  for,  ask.     We  pray  /<?   a  person  _/or  a  thing. 

In  A.S.  the  construction  was  either  the  ace.  with  the  gen.  or  the 
dative  with  the  gen. 

403.  ^;o;/>^^  =  drunk  :  literally  p.p.  of  dritik. 

as  a  mows,  alluding  probably  to  the  motions  of  a  mouse  when 
caught  by  a  cat.  The  bite  of  the  cat  is  said  to  partially  benumb 
or  stupefy  the  mouse. 

405.   "  But  he  knows  not  which  is  the  right  way  thither." 

410.  ive  seyen  alle.  The  natural  order  would  seem  to  be  all 
we ;  e.g.,  "All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray,"  Is.  liii.  6;  but 
"  the  unemphatic  nature  of  the  nominatives  ive  and  they  prevents 
us  from  saying  'all  we.'"  Abbott,  §  240.  "We  offend  all." 
Tames  iii.  2. 

namelycke  =  especially,  —  mentioned  by  name,  and  hence 
prominent.     So  Lat.  nominatim. 

411.  gret  o;pinioun  =  ■a.  strong  conviction;  cf.  "the  opinion 
(i.e.  decision)  of  a  judge." 

413.  Than  hadde  I  ben  =  then  had  I  been  :  had  is  subj.  and 
we  may  read  :  "  then  would  I  have  been." 

414.  Ther  has  here  a  double  force  =  there  where ;  or,  more 
fully,  "who  thought  that  I  would  be  in  perfect  well-being  /;/  that 
condition  in  -which  I  am  indeed  exiled  from  my  weal." 

415.  I  may  not  sen  ^=  I  am  not  able  to  see. 

416.  nam  —  nys  =  ne  am  —  ne  is. 

417.  that  other  syde  =  the  other  side.  We  say  "  on  the  other 
hand."     Either  expression  denotes  opposition  or  contrast. 

421.  The  pure  fettres  =  the  very  fetters.  So  in  the  Duchess, 
1.  5S2,  "  the  pure  deth."  The  Greeks  used  Kadapog,  and  the  Latin 
purus  in  a  similar  manner. 

423.  myn  of  me,  gen. 

"And  God  wot  that  is  malgre  min."     Gower,  Con.  Am.  ii.  3. 

424.  "  In  all  our  strife,  God  knows,  the  advantage  is  thine." 

425.  at  thi  large '^  at  large,  free.  Large  is  here  used  as  a 
noun;  cf.  "  at  his  large,"  1.  469;  cf.  French,  au  large. 

426.  And  of  my  tvoo,  &c.     Thou  givest  little   heed  to  my  wo. 

431.  to  lady  and  to  ^vyf=^  for  a  lady  and  for  a  wife.  This  con- 
struction is  an  imitation  of  the  A.S.  and  is  common  in  E  E. 
"We  have  Abraham  to  our  father."  Matt.  iii.  9.  "We  habbath 
A.  us  to  faeder,"  A.S.  This  construction  with  the  double  dative 
is  also  frequent  in  Latin. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  207 

lady  here  means  lover  or  mistress,  as  distinguished  from  wife. 
The  root  of  this  word  seems  to  be  the  Icel.  lavdi,  written  in  A.S. 
klavedi,  domina.  The  usual  derivation  from  an  assumed  hlaf- 
ivardige  is  probably  untenable. 

432.  ivhom  that  =  whom. 

I  mot  fieedes  leese  my  lyf;  i.e.,  through  the  ardor  of  my  affec- 
tion. 

433.  as  by  tvey  of  possibilitc  =  as  being  in  the  way  to  take 
advantage  of  circumstances.  Your  advantage  is  great  as  com- 
pared with  mine,  as  there  is  a  possibility  of  your  success. 

by  ivey  of  =  because  of. 

444.  box-tree;  i.e.,  in  color  yellow,  denoting  jealousy. 

445.  O  cruel  Goddes,  &c.     Goddes  here  is  plural. 

447.  Tvritett,  past  plural  of  write.  The  past  singular  is  wrat, 
or  -wrote.  The  past  plural  of  most  A.  S.  verbs  had  a  different 
vowel  from  the  past  singular:  e.g  ,  sing,  past  singular  satig^ 
past  plural  stingon.  Hence  the  confusion  in  such  verbs  between 
the  forms  in  a  and  u.,  — sang  ox  sung;  drank  or  drunk. 

448.  parlement  =  decree,  determination ;  agent  for  act.  I 
punctuate  with  an  exclamation  point  here;  Morris  has  a  comma. 
The  exclamation  begins,  "  O  cruel  Goddes."  What  follows  should 
be  pointed  as  an  interrogation. 

450.  rouketh  =  huddle,  lie  close. 

"But  now  they  rucken  in  her  nest."     Gower,  Con.  Am.  ii.  57. 

451.  right  as  another  beest  =^  iusi  as  though  he  were  another 
beast. 

-    455.  "  What  control  (advantage)   is   there  in   this  foreknowl- 
edge that  tormenteth  guiltless  innocence.''" 

456.  torme?iteth  Lat.  tormenturn  {torquere,  to  twist)  an  instru- 
ment for  hurling  missiles  by  the  recoil  of  a  twisted  rope;  hence 
an  instrument  of  torture  where  the  force  is  applied  in  a  similar 
manner :  as  a  verb,  to  cause  severe  pain. 

458.  to  his  observaicnce  =  to  his  religious  duty.  Observantia 
had  in  Latin  the  meaning  religion.     See  1.  187  and  note. 

459.  to  letten  of  his  xville  =  to  refrain  from  his  will. 

460.  Ther  as  =  where  :  in  that  case  where. 

463.  >^«z'e=  may  have.     Subj. 

464.  it  may  stonde  so  =  it  must  be  (remain)  so.  Afay  some- 
times denotes  moral  possibility,  when  it  is  nearly  equivalent  to 
must. 


2o8  NOTES    TO    THE  KNIGETES    TALE. 

465.  answer  of  this  =  the  solution  of  this  (problem).  An- 
swer is  usually  followed  by  to. 

Ilete=zl  leave.  Allied  to  late  ;  as  the  slower  of  two  bodies 
is  left  by  the  other,  let  comes  to  have  this  meaning.     See  1.  459. 

Scan  :  Th'  answer  |  of  this  |  I  let  |  e  to  |  divinis. 

468.  tre'ive  ?na?i  =  an  upright  man.  Dative  after  doon,  to 
cause.     This  use  of  </o  is  common. 

469.  Gon  —  turne,  infinitives  after  5e.  When  a  clause  is  the 
object  of  a  verb,  the  verb  in  the  clause  must  be  in  the  infinitive; 
e.g.,  "  I  heard  him  say." 

-wher  hijn  lust  jnay  =^  y\h.ere  it  may  please  him.     "To  go  at 
his  pleasure  and  turn  withersoever  it  may  please  him." 
at  kis  large.     See  1.  425  and  note. 

470.  thtirg  Saturne.     See  1.  230,  and  note  1.  229. 

471.  Juno  was  the  goddess  w^ho  presided  over  marriage.  She 
is  represented  as  "  jalous  and  wood  "  and  hindering  his  mar- 
riage with  his  beloved. 

472.  %vel  neyk  =^  \Qry  nearly:  "my  steps  had  well  nigh 
slipped."     Ps.  Ixxiii.  2. 

473.  "  With  its  widely  ruined  walls." 

474.  07i  thai  other  syde  =  on  the  other  hand.     See  1.  417. 

475.  fere  of  him  Arcite  ==  fear  of  (that)  Arcite.     See  note,  1. 

352. 

477.  stille  dwelle  =  quietly  remain. 

47S.  forth  — telle  =  I  will  continue  the  story  of  Arcite. 

480.  double  w/5e  =  in  a  duplicate  manner;  i.e.,  similarly  to 
each. 

4S2.  /;;j'5/er  =  mode  of  life ;  literally,  occupation.  Perhaps 
better  here  rendered  by  need.,  necessity,  as  Morris  gives  it.  See 
note  P.,  1.  613. 

483.  schortly  for  to  seyn  =  to  be  brief. 

484.  dampned  =  doomed,  condemned.  Damned  is  now  a 
stronger  expression  than  the  formal  intensive  conde?nned. 

486.  exiled  iifon  his  heed  =  exiled,  upon  the  penalty  of  jleath 
if  he  returned. 

487.  as  out  of  that  contre,  to  be  construed  with  exiled. 

488.  axe  —  ask.  The  vulgar  pronunciation  of  this  w^ord,  which 
we  find  here  in  Chaucer,  is  as  old  as  the  A.S. 

491.   That  on^=  the  one;   correlates  with  that  other,  1.  493. 
day  by  day  =  continually,  day  after  day.     See  1.  345. 
493.  -wher  him  lust  —  where  it  pleases  him. 


NOTES   TO    THE  KXIGHTES    TALE.  209 

495.  as  you  luste  =  as  it  may  please  jou  :  luste  is  subj. 

7'ou  — ye.     In  E.E.  ye  is  the  nominative  form,  while  you  was 
used  in  the  ace.  and  dat.     Te  is  obsolete. 

that  can  —  that  know  how  to  decide  such  questions. 

496.  telle  forth  =  tell  on,  —  continue  my  story. 

497.  comcn  zvas  =  was  come,  had  come.      Comen  is  p.p. 

49S.  Ful  ofte  a  day  =  many  times  a  day.  A  day  must  here  be 
construed  as  an  adverbial  element  =  in  one  day.  A.S.  anes 
daeges.  See  note  P.,  16S.  This  may  be  the  A.S.  on,  as  "on 
daeg  seofon  sithum  syngath,"  seven  times  a  day.    Luke  xvii.  4. 

he  sxuelte  =  he  sighed.  This  word  has  passed  to  the  meaning 
of  severely  suffering  with  heat;  e.g.,  "sweltering  in  the  sun,"  as 
starve  has  acquired  the  specific  meaning  of  dying  of  hunger. 

502.  schal  =  shall  be. 

503.  him  byraft  =  taken  from  him.     Him  is  dative. 

506.  ya/xvg  =  pale  ;  yellow.  Cf.  "  fallow  ground,"  so  called 
from  the  yellowish  color  of  the  soil. 

508.   zvalllyng.     Some  read  -wakyjig. 

511.  splrltes  =  spirits;  i.e.,  "  animal  spirits," —  a  spirit  sup- 
posed to  circulate  through  the  body,  as  the  essence  of  life. 
"Spirits  is  a  most  subtile  vapour,  which  is  expressed  from  the 
blood.  Of  these  spirits  there  be  three  kinds,  —  natural,  vital, 
animal.  The  natural  are  begotten  in  the  liver,  and  thence  dis- 
persed through  the  veins  to  perform  those  natural  actions.  The 
vital  spirits  are  made  in  the  heart  of  the  natural,  which  by  the 
arteries  are  transported  to  all  the  other  parts  ;  if  the  spirits  cease, 
then  life  ceaseth,  as  in  a  syncope.  The  animal  spirits  are  formed 
of  the  vital,  brought  up  to  the  brain  and  diffused  by  the  nerves 
to  the  subordinate  members,  give  sense  and  motion  to  them  all." 
Burton,  Anat.  Mel.,  96. 

513.  herde  =  though  one  should  hear  it;   subj. 

514.  ^^^^-g  =  demeanor.  A.S.  gearzva,  clothing;  hence  the 
external  appearance,  or  acts  which  indicate  any  particular  state 
of  mind. 

for  all  the  world  =^  {ore.  all  the  world,  —  a   statement   to  be 
maintained  before  (or,  in  spite  of)  all  the  world. 

515.  "And  in  his  manner,  for  all  the  world,  he  acted  not  only 
like  [one  ai^icted  with]  the  Lovers'  malady  of  Eros,  but  rather 
like  [one  afflicted  with  the]  mania  engendred  of  'humor  melan- 
cholic' in  the  'cell  fantastic'  before  [in  the  fore  part  of  the 
head]."    The  "  maladj  of  Eros"  is  that  "  heroical  love  which  is 

14 


2IO         ^  NOTES    TO    THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

proper  to  men  and  women."  The  "mania  "  is  a  sort  of  melan- 
choly or  monomania.  "The  part  affected,  as  Arnoldus  sup- 
poseth,  is  the  former  part  of  the  head,  for  want  of  moisture." 
Burton,  Anat.  Mel.  "All  [authors]  make  leanness,  want  of  ap- 
petite, want  of  sleep,  ordinary  symptoms,  and  by  that  means  they 
[the  subjects]  are  brought  often  so  low,  so-  much  altered  and 
changed  that,  as  he  [Terence  Eun.]  jested  in  the  comedy,  one 
scarce  knew  them  to  be  the  same  men."  lb.  Burton  quotes  this 
passage,  saying  "  So  he  describes  it —  love-melancholy — aright." 

517.  wz«?/)'c  =  mania;  dat.  after ///-e. 

518.  selle  faniastyk.  "Inner  senses  are  three,  .  .  .  common 
sense,  phantasy,  memory.  .  .  .  His  [phantasy's]  organ  is  in  the 
middle  cell  of  the  brain."     Burton. 

519.  up-so-doiui  =  upsidedown.  So  is  the  old  relative,  cor- 
rupted into  side. 

522.  <7/^<7y=all  day ;   used  adverbially. 

526.  Upon  a  night.  On  with  the  dative  in  A.S.  denoted  time 
when  "On  tham  thriddan  daege."    John  ii.  i. 

As  he  him  leyde  ^=  K?,  he  laid  him  (down)  in  sleep. 

527.  Him  thoughte=^  it  seemed  to  him. 

529.  His  slepy  yerde ^=^h\s  sleep-producing  wand. 

"  Tum  virgam  capit;  hac  animas  ille  evocat  Oreo 
Palentis,  alias  sub  Tartara  tristia  mittit, 
Dat  somnos,  adiniitque,  et  lumina  morte  resignat." 

Virgil,  Aen.  iv.  242. 
"Adjectives  signifying  effect  were  often   used  to   signify  the 
cause."     Abbott,  §  4. 

530.  heres=  hairs.  "We  use  the  singular  in  a  collective  sense 
to  denote  the  mass  of  hair  covering  the  head,  and  the  plural  to 
denote  a  collection  of  single  hairs. 

531.  as  he  took  keepe=^  as  he  observed. 

533.  seyde  him=^%^\d  to  him. 

534.  Ther  is  the  schapen  =  there  is  determined  (prepared)  for 
thee. 

535.  5/cr/(?  =  started,  arose  quickly. 

536.  that  me  smerte  =  ih3.t  pained  me. 

540.  Irecche  nat  tosterve  =  l  reck  not  to  die  ;  I  care  not  if  I  die. 
543.  in  another  kynde=^  in  another  nature. 
"  It  is  all  one  to  say  unkinde 
As  thing  which  done  is  ayein  kinde"  [nature]. 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  ii.  292. 


NOTES    TO    THE  KXIGHTES    TALE.  211 

544.  a  ran  him  into  inyiide  =  it  occurred  to  him  ;  literally, 
•'  it  ran  into  the  mind  to  him."     Cf.  "  to  call  to  mind." 

546.  Of  maladie  =  by  the  inalady.     Gen.  of  cause. 

547.  if  that  he  bar  him  lozve  =  if  he  conducted  himself  in  a 
Jowly  manner;   i.e.,  like  one  of  low  birth. 

549.  zvel  ncih  day  by  day  ^=  almost  every  day. 

550.  right  a7ion  =  immediatelj'. 

552.  aloue  =  alle  one,  —  alio  being  used  adverbially.  Al  alone 
is  therefore  alle  alle  one.  The  A.S.  an  =  (1)  one;  (2)  single, 
sole.  The  prefix  al  had  originally  precisely  the  force  which  all 
now  has  in  all  alone. 

"  But  for  he  may  not  all  him  ont 
In  sondry  places  do  justice." 

Govver,  Con.  Am.  iii.  178. 
'•  The  king  which  made  him  muchel  mone 

Tho  stood  as  who  saith  all  him  otie.'"'     lb.  iii.  285. 
"  And  taer  he  ledde  him  ane  his  lif."     Orm.  3204. 
the  use  of  him  in  these  extracts  illustrates  also  the  construction 
of  hiiyi  in  himself. 

554.  disg-ysed  povrely  as  he  zvas  =  clothed  poorly  like  his 
master  for  the  sake  of  concealment. 

555.  /he  nexte  'May  =  the  nearest  way.  The  x  is  due  to  the 
coalescence  of  guttural  h  with  5.  A.S.  neah,  near;  neahst^  nearest, 
next.  Way  in  A.S.  would  be  in  the  gen. ;  it  must  here  be  con- 
strued as  ace. 

558.  -ivhat  so  men  vjol  devyse  —  (to  do)  whatever  one  would 
direct. 

men  =  one;  the  indefinite  pronoun,  as  shown  by  tvoI,  which 
is  singular,  the  pi.  being  -wolden. 

560.  fel  in  office  —  he  entered  service  ;  cf.  military  order  "  fall 
in." 

561.  The  xvhich  that  =  who,  the  one  that,  —  the  zvhich  =  a 
demonstrative. 

562.  For  explains  the  reason  why  he  had  been  selected  as 
chamberlain  for  Emil3^ 

couthe  sone  aspye  —  could  soon  discover  (the  character)  of 
every  servant. 

564.  he  now  refers  to  Arcite. 

566.  strong-  *'  A  strong  man  means  no  more  than  one  whose 
sinews  are  firmly  strung."     Trench, 

567.  that  =  that  that.     Abbott  (Shak.  Gr.  §  244)  suggests  that 


212  NOTES   TO    THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

the  omission  of  the  relative  maj  be  explained  by  the  fact  that 
the  relative  and  demonstrative  have  the  same  form. 
Jiim,  dative. 

568.  yeer,  ace.  of  time. 

569.  Page^  a  servant,  especially  a  youth.     Cf.  Gr.  ixatdiov. 
572.  of  his  degree,  refers  to  mati,  1.  571. 

576.  enhaimse  his  degree  =  elevate  his  station.  "  He  that  shal 
meeke  hym  self  shal  ben  enhaunsid."     Matt,  xxiii.  12  (Wiclif). 

577.  xvorschiJ)/ul  =  honorable;  cf.  "worshipful  master," 
"worshipful  society."  Shak.  "Worship  thi  fader  and  thi 
moder."     Luke  xviii.  20  (Wiclif). 

57S.  vertu  =  ability.  See  note  P.,  515.  "Jesus  knowing  that 
virtue  had  gone  out  of  him."     Mark  v.  30. 

579.  vjithinne  a  while  =  within  a  (little)  while. 

spronge  =  sprang  up,  became  known. 

5S0.  of  his  dedesi  «&c.,  gen.  of  cause  Vi^ter  sfronge. 

581.  taken  him  so  neer  =  become  so  intimate  with  him  ;  cf. 
"  to  take  to  one." 

582.  sqtiyer  ^=  squire,  knight  of  his  chamber;  literally,  shield- 
bearer,  hence,  servant. 

556.  honestly  =  becoming  one  of  his  station.  "  Provide  things 
honest  [honorable]  in  the  sight  of  all  men."     Rom.  xii.  17. 

5/^/^^ />'=  prudently.  "The  O.E.  sleigh,  sly  =  wise,  know- 
ing; and  sleight  =  wisdom,  knowledge.  For  change  of  meaning 
compare  ciuining,  originally  knowledge,  and  craft,  originally 
power."     Morris. 

557.  That  =  so  that. 

Hoxv  that  =  how  it  was  that ;  from  whence.  Hoxv  is  properly 
the  instrumental  case  of  the  interrogative. 

588.  j'^cr  =  years.  Still  vulgarly  used.  A.S.  sing,  and  pi. 
gear. 

589.  bar  him  so  =  so  conducted  himself.  The  personal  pro- 
nouns are  often  used  as  reflexives,  without  self. 

591.  lete  =  leave.  A.S.  laeta?i.  Let,  to  hinder,  is  from  A.S. 
let  tan. 

594.  This  sevcfi  yeer.  A  period  considered  as  a  definite  portion 
of  time  was  construed  in  the  singular;  e.g.,  "a  fortnight,"  "an 
eight  days  after."     Luke  ix.  28. 

scten  p.p.  of  sitie  —  remained.  Set,  causative,  A.S.  settan, 
has  p.  sette,  p.p.  geset.     Eng.  set,  set,  set. 

595.  Tvhatfor  woo,  &c.  =  partly  for  wo  and  partly  for  restraint. 


NOTES   TO   TUE  KNIOIITES   TALE.  213 

The  following  lines  elaborate  this  idea.     Supply  w/iai  with  for 
distresse.      Woo  refers  to  his  passion. 
"Till  \vhat  by  sleight  and  what  by  strength."     Gower  ii.  388. 

<f/5/re55£;  =  restraint,  confinement;  cf.  "distress  of  goods." 
Chaucer  uses  the  verb  destreyji  in  this  sense. 

596.  double  ;  i.e.,  through  love  and  imprisonment. 

601.  ryme  =  tell  in  poetr^^  A.S.  rim^  number:  so  rim- 
craeft=  arithmetic;  rtjn-stafas=  number  letters,  the  A.S.  poetry 
being  alliterative.  R/iyme,  therefore,  means  lines  with  num- 
bered syllables.  The  word  has  no  connection  with  rhythm. 
Trench  saj'S  :  "  Rhyme  with  a  j  is  ;i  modern  misspelling;  and 
would  never  have  been  but  for  the  undue  inlluence  which  the 
Greek  '  rhythm  '  has  exercised  upon  it.  Spenser  and  his  con- 
temporaries spelt  it  '  rime.'"     E.  Past  and  Pres.,  308. 

602.  martirdam  =  martyrdom.  The  A.S.  adopted  ecclesias- 
tical terms  from  the  Greek,  and  thus  formed  a  series  of  mongrel 
words. 

zV  a7n  nat  /=it  is  not  I.  This  is  the  regular  construction  in 
E.E.  Am  is  used  because  it  is  seen  to  be  a  mere  substitute  for  /. 
We  require  relatives  to  agree  grammatically  with  their  antece- 
dents. 

605.  the  thridde  night  =^  the  night  of  the  third  of  Maj'. 

608.  schal  =  must.  A.S.  sce(il=l  owe,  I  must.  ^^  Shal, 
therefore,  meant  '  I  have  killed,'  '  I  must  pay  penance,  wergeld  ;  ' 
hence,  'I  am  under  an  obligation,'  'I  am  obliged,'  '  I  must.'" 
Helfenstein,  Com.  Gr.,  515. 

609.  the  mydiiyght.  We  would  omit  the  article  here  and  sup- 
ply it  with  helpi?ig  in  the  next  line.  The  exigencies  of  the  metre 
to  a  certain  degree  determine  the  presence  or  absence  of  the 
article,  but  its  demonstrative  force  was  felt  much  stronger  in 
Chaucer's  time  than  at  present.  The  midnight  =  the  midnight 
of  the  night  mentioned  above. 

611.  Jleeth  the  cite.     Fleeth  is  here  used  transitively. 

612.  soo  correlates  with  that,  1.  615. 

614.  opye  of  Thebes  fyyi  =  pure  opium  of  Thebes.  Burton 
alludes  to  "opium  from  Thebes"  as  the  best  known. 

615.  men  ivolde=owQ.  should.  Wolde  is  subj.  in  which  case 
we  generally  use  5^i?«^/^,  C(?«/^.  "It  is  a  natural  and  common 
mistake  to  say  ivould  is  used  for  should  by  Elizabethan  writers." 
Abbott,  §  329. 

616.  mighte  nought  ^^^  could  not,  was  unable  to. 


214  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

617.  as  faste  as  evere  he  may:=^a.s  fast  as  he  possibly  can. 
This  use  of  ever  for  the  sake  of  emphasis  is  still  retained  in  col- 
loquial language. 

fnay=  is  able.  A.S.  inagaii.  "  Wherof  schal  a  man  mowe 
fille  hem."  Mark  viii.  4  (Wiclif ).    We  mowen  not.    C.  T.  16,  149. 

61S.  faste  <^j=the  day  close  bj.  Faste  is  used  for  emphasis 
like  right,  just,  full,  all;   cf.  ''fast  asleep." 

619.  iieedes-cost  =^  v\.Q.Q.diQ%  ways,  necessarily.  Cost  may  per- 
haps be  A.S.  cyst^  froin  ceosan,  to  choose.  Tyrwhitt  says  that  the 
sense  of  this  passage  is  so  obscure  that  he  is  inclined  to  adopt 
Urry's  proposed  amendment,  "  that  needes  cast  "  =  that  he  must 
needs  cast  about  or  contrive.  Morris  says  needes-cost  seems  to 
be  equivalent  to  O.E.  needes-xvyse. 

620.  ///=to.  So  in  A.S.  and  Norsk.  This  use  oi  till  is  now 
a  common  vulgarism. 

grove.  A.S.  graef  from  grafa?i,  to  carve,  to  dig;  hence,  a 
grove,  a  grave:  Webster's  Diet,  says  "because  an  avenue  or 
grove  is  cut  or  hollowed  out  of  a  thicket  of  trees."  This  word  is 
used  in  the  Bible  to  denote  a  carved  image  or  idol.  The  changes 
in  meaning  may  have  been  soinewhat  like  this  :  (i)  that  which 
is  cut;  (2)  wood  which  has  been  cut;  (3)  wood  in  general;  (4) 
wood,  collectively  ;  forests  are  still  called  xvoods.  Similar  changes 
have  taken  place  in  the  word  timber,  from  A.S.  timbrian,  to  build  : 
(i)  building  material ;  (2)  wood  to  be  used  in  the  construction 
of  an  edifice ;  (3)  the  edifice  (Ger.  zimmer)  ;  (4)  trees  that  may 
be  made  into  building  material :    "  the  timber  "=  the  forest. 

ther  is  here  used  with  its  pronominal  force,  in  the  dative  after 
besyde. 

625.  "  To  pray  his  friends  to  help  him  to  make  war  on  The- 
seus." 

627.  or  —  or  =  \\e  would  either  —  or.  Oris,  a  contraction  of 
either.  "  Either  he  schal  hate  the  toon  and  love  the  tother, 
either  he  schal  susteyne  the  toon  and  despise  the  tother."  Matt, 
vi.  24  (Wiclif). 

628.  utito  his  rvyf.     See  1.  431  and  note. 

629.  e?ite7ite ;playn^:=e\\dent  intention. 

631.  care^=  sorrow,  one  who  would  cause  him  sorrow.  Nam- 
ing an  object  by  the  emotion  it  inspires,  is  a  common  figure  of 
speech;   e.g.,  my  love,  my  aversion. 

636.  of  the  light  :=  because  of  the  light.  Of  originallj'  =from., 
naturally  passes  into  the  meaning  "  in  consequence  of."     This 


NOTES    TO    THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  215 

whole  passaL,'e  is  full  of  great  descriptive  beauty:  the  lark,  rising 
in  the  early  dawn,  the  brightening  east,  the  rising  sun,  the  spark- 
ling dew-drops  on  the  leaves,  all  combine  to  present  a  rare  pic- 
ture to  the  imagination. 

637.  greves=  proves.  Refers  rather  to  the  branches  of  the 
trees  or  bushes,  —  i.e.,  that  which  is  green.  See  1.  649,  and 
note. 

640.  Squyer  principal.  The  adjective  is  placed  after  the  noun 
in  imitation  of  the  French. 

643.  Remembeyyng  on  =  meditating  on.  Remember  ^^to  think 
on  :  meminisse  is  so  used  in  Latin. 

poynt  of  his  desir=^  the  object  of  his  desire. 

645.  Him  to  pleye  ^^io  plav  by  himself,  to  amuse  himself. 
Him  IS  dative;  cf.  "  pla}' me  a  tune;"  "play  him  "=^  play  for 
himself  or  by  himself. 

646.  %uere  it       it  might  be  ;    subj. 

64S.  gan  to  /iolde  =  hold,  hQg^n  to  hold.  Gan  frequently  is 
equivalent  to  the  auxiliary  do.     See  bigan,  P.,  827  and  note. 

649.  greves  =  hr^nc\\eii.     See  Gloss.  Percy's  Rel. 

650.  Were  it^^'xt  m'xghihe:,  subj. 

ivoodebynde  =^v{oodh\nQ.  The  earlier  orthography  indicates 
the  derivation  of  the  word. 

651.  ageus.  as  he  was  riding  eastward. 

652.  Scan  :  Maj'  |  with  alle  |  thy  flow  |  res  and  |  thy  greene. 

654.  som  grene  gete  may  =  may  be  able  to  get  some  prosper- 
ity.     Gete  is  ifif. 

655.  lusty  herte^^2i  heart  full  of  desire,  longing. 
659.  t/iat  =  \n  order  that,  so  that;  cf.  Lat.  qzio. 

662.  "  God  knows  he  would  have  believed  it  full  little." 

663.  "But  the  truth  was  said  many  years  ago."  Is  said  = 
has  been  said  :  a  passive  perfect  formed  like  the  Latin  amatus  est, 
dictus  est. 

goon.,  &c.,  literally,  gone  since  are  many  years. 

664.  The  old  proverb  :  "  Veld  haueth  hege,  and  wude  haueth 
heare."  In  the  open  country  a  man  may  easily  be  seen;  in  the 
forest  he  may  be  heard. 

66v  a  man  =  for  a  man  :    dative  after  the  adjective. 
666.  at  unset  stevene  ^=^  \\\\\\o\\\.  previous  appointment. 
stevene,  literally  =  voice,  a  message;  hence,  a  meeting  agreed 
upon  by  a  message. 

"And  then  they  setten  Steven  for  to  mete."     Cokes  Tale,  19. 


2l6  NOTES    TO    THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

668.  to  herken  al  his  sazve=  to  listen  to  all  his  sayings.  In 
A.S.  heorcnian  is  followed  by  the  dative. 

d'^o.  al  his  fille^=-X.o  his  satisfaction.  Fille  is  here  used  ad- 
verbially. "  Then  mayst  thou  eat  grapes  thy  fill."  Deut.  xxiii. 
24. 

673.  here  ^iieynie  £-eeres=  their  strange  customs. 

qiieynte  =  quaint,  odd.  Fr.  coint  (Lat.  cognitus^  known. 
From  known,  zvell-knotvn,  comes  the  idea  of  being  old,  anti- 
quated. We  give  a  peculiar  meaning  to  the  word,  making  it 
denote  a  pleasant  oddity,  not  pronounced  enough  to  be  intrusive. 

676.  Friday,  here  alluded  to  as  a  day  of  unreliable  weather, 
—  partaking  of  the  fickleness  of  its  patron  Friga,  the  northern 
Venus. 

677.  Scan  :  Now  |  it  schyn  |  eth,  &c. 

678.  ca7i.     Tyrwhitt.     Morris  reads  ga^i  overcaste. 

679.  ^/reyt>//t  =  her  followers. 

681.  "  A  writer  in  Notes  and  Qiieries  quotes  the  following 
Devonshire  proverb  : 

'  Fridays  in  the  week 
Are  never  aleek.' "     Morris. 

683.  xvithouteji  eny  more  =  without  anything  further,  imme- 
diately. 

684.  that  day  must  be  construed  as  ace.  after  the  interjection, 
or  for  must  be  supplied. 

686.  Wiltoxv  =  wilt  thou.  The  inflectional  endings  of  the 
verb  were  originally  formed  from  appended  pron6uns,  precisely 
in  this  manner. 

687.  ibrought  is  =  is  brought,  has  been  brought. 

691.  kyng.  "The  Teutonic  nations  used  the  name  konig,  or 
king,  and  this  corresponds  to  the  Sanskrit  janaka.  What  did  it 
mean  ?  It  simply  meant  father,  the  father  of  a  family,  '  the  king 
of  his  own  kifi,'  the  father  of  a  clan,  the  father  of  a  people."  M. 
Miiller,  Sc.  of  L.  272. 

693.  verray  lyne  =  true  line,  direct  descent. 

as  =  and.  As  is  a  contraction  of  also  and  here  has  its 
usual  force  when  uncontracted. 

694.  ///;'<?/=:  enslaved.  Literally  =  I  am  such  a  captive  and 
a  slave  :  such  (so)  correlating  with  that. 

695.  he  thai  =^  who.  The  clauses  are  inverted.  Read,  "I 
serve  him  as  his  squire  humbly,  who  is  my  mortal  enemy."  The 
inversion  serves  the  purpose  of  emphasis. 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIQHTES   TALE,  217 

699.  titer  as  =^\here2iS,\  not  where.  Z'/^^r  is  frequently  used 
where  we  use  -where,  the  derivatives  of  w/io,  -what,  being  still 
interrogative. 

704.  wrt;'/yr^/,^  =  tortureth.  Martyr  originally  signified  a 
witness,  and  was  early  used  to  denote  those  who  had  borne  wit- 
ness to  the  truth  of  Christianity  by  suffering  death;  and  as  such 
persons  were  usually  put  to  death  by  torture,  to  martyr  acquires 
the  meaning  of  putting  to  a  painful  death. 

707.  c«;'(7/"«/=  full  of  care.  "We  are  not  careful  to  answer 
thee."     Dan.  iii.  16. 

708.  erst  than  my  schertc  =  sooner  than  (before)  my  shirt; 
i.e.,  before  his  birth. 

712.  mountaunce  of  a  tare  =^  the  least  possible  amount.  Tare 
is  the  vetch  ;  so  also  Chaucer  frequently,  "  I  care  not  a  bean." 

713.  "  So  that  I  could  do  aught  that  would  cause  you 
pleasure." 

715.  he  .  .  .  this  Palamon.  He  is  here  used  with  somewhat 
of  a  demonstrative  force  (Lat.  ille'),  referring  to  the  former  of 
two  persons  mentioned.     This  is  the  usual  A.S.  construction. 

716.  that  thoughte  =  who  thought  that  he  felt. 

719.  tale  =  story.  A.S.  tal,  a  fable,  a  slander,  from  taelan, 
to  speak  ill  of:  hence  originally  a  false  tale;  (2)  a  tale  told  cir- 
cumstantially. Cf.  history  and  story;  also  tale-bearer,  tell-tale. 
This  word  must  be  distinguished  from  tale,  a  number,  a  reckon- 
ing:  the  first  forming  the  verb  taelan,  and  the  latter  tellan. 
They  are  undoubtedly  allied :  they  are  confused  in  Morris's 
Glossary. 

721.  He  sterte  him^^he  started.  After  verbs  of  motion  we 
frequently  find  the  personal  pronoun  used  reflexively,  forming  a 
iniddle  voice. 

724.  whom  that ^=^or  whom  (it  is)  that;  whom,  i.e.,  my  lady. 

725.  ^/o<?</=  relative  ;   a  connection  hy  blood.     See  1.  273. 

726.  heere  byforn  =^he^ore  this.  Heere  is  not  an  adverb,  but 
a  pronoun  ;  cf.  the  O.E.  not  for  then^=  nevertheless,  where  theti 
is  a  pronoun. 

728.   "  And  hast  thus  falsely  changed  thy  name." 

730.  schalt  is  here  used  as  expressing  strong  determination, 
and  not  simply  futurity. 

731.  "  But  only  I  (I  alone)  and  no  other  will  love  her." 
oonly=  ViXone.      So    Spenser,    "That   th'  onely   breath   him 

daunts."     F.  Q^.  i.  7,  §  13- 


2.l8  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIOHTES   TALE, 

733.  we_pcn  ^=  weapon  :  one  syllable. 

734-  y-sterte  =  escaped.     Tvrwhitt  reads  astert. 

grace  ■=  good  fortune.     So  harde  grace=  misfortune. 

735.  I  drede  jiot  =  I  have  no  doubt. 

t>/^g;'==  either,  correlates  with  or  in  next  line. 

740.  lyoun.  The  article  was  omitted  in  comparative  sen- 
tences, after  as,  like,  than,  as  in  our  compounds;  e.g.,  lion- 
like. 

742.   Ncre^=ne  tvere^were  it  not. 

745.  of  myn  ko?id=  by  my  hand. 

748.  verrayfool=  fool  indeed.  "  My  very  son  Esau."  Gen. 
xxvii.  26. 

//^/«yi' 7y^//=^  remember  well.  A.S.  t/ieitcan,  to  think,  to  re- 
member ;  the  active  form  of  ihincan,  to  seem  :  hence,  to  cause  to 
come  to  mind.  Think  still  =  remember  in  colloquial  language; 
e.g.,  "I  did  not  think."  The  noun  thank,  which  is  from  this 
verb,  means  "  that  given  in  remembrance  of  a  favor." 

750.  for  as  w«Cy^e^  forasmuch  as,  since.  For=  in  consider- 
ation of  As  }nuche=^?>o  great  (a  fact),  now  generally  followed 
by  as.     Tyrwhitt  reads  : 

"But  for  thou  art  a  worthi  gentil  knight." 

751.  ^/>g  =  forher:  dative. 

753.  Scan  :  En  y'oth  |  er  knight. 

754.  as  a  k7iight ;  i.e.,  armed. 

759.  if  so  be  =  \^  it  so  be.  "That  thou  my  lady  wj^nne  "  is 
the  real  subject  of  be. 

760.  ther  I  am  /;/;2c  =  wherein  I  am. 

761.  as  for  we  =  so  far  as  I  am  concerned;  cf.  the  colloquial 
expression  "for  all  me." 

763.   de_parted=^  separated. 

765.  out  of  =  without.     A.S.  «/«;/  =  without. 

766.  regne^^ king:  literally,  a  kingdom,  used  by  metonomy 
for  king. 

767.  is  seyd  =  is  it  said.  The  following  sentence  is  the 
subject. 

768.  his  thonkes  =  wi\Ung\y.  The  gen.  was  used  in  A.S.  as 
an  adverb;  cf.  «ee(^e5=  necessarily. 

"  For  haveles  (poor) 
His  thonkes  is  no  man  alive." 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  ii.  2ii. 
771*  ^^^  ^^^  morwe ;  cf.  a-morxve,  1.  763. 


NOTES    TO    THE  KNIOHTES   TALE.  219 

Dayes  light  =  the  light  of  day.  In  compound  nouns  the  first 
has  the  force  .of  a  genitive  or  dative. 

779.    Tho  cJi  an  gen  gan  =  \.\\Q.n  z\i-xr\^&di-      G<7«^did. 

kereface=  their  faces  :  literally  "  in  the  face  of  them."  The 
modern  construction  uses  the  plural,  we  having  changed  the 
genitive  of  the  pronoun  into  a  possessive. 

782.  ^c;'c  =  bear.  A.S.  bera^  probably  from  heran,  to  excel, 
the  bear  being  the  largest  wild  animal  known  in  the  northern 
regions.  Bere,  barley  (cf.  beer),  seems  to  have  the  same  deri- 
vation, denoting  the  grain  which  surpassed.  The  six-rowed 
barley  is  called  in  Scotland  big,  while  the  four-rowed  is  called 
bear. 

784.  brekcth.  The  subject  is  ''bowes  and  the  leves."  See 
1.  18S5.  Tyrwhitt  reads  brehing,  and  says:  "The  MSS.  all  read 
breketh ;  but  it  is  more  likely,  I  think,  that  the  first  transcriber 
should  have  made  a  mistake  in  that  word,  than  that  Chaucer 
should  have  offended  so  unnecessarily  against  grammar."  If  we 
construe  and  as  equivalent  to  as,  the  difficulty  is  avoided.  "  And 
heareth  him  come  rushing  through  the  underbrush,  as  the  boughs 
and  leaves  break  before  him." 

788.  me  myskappe^^=\i  it  go  ill  with  me.  Mishap  is  now  used 
only  as  a  noun. 

790.  As  fcr  as=^  as  soon  as  :  literally,  when  they  were  as  far 
as,  &c. ;  or,  as  we  would  say,  "when  they  were  so  near  that  each 
knew  the  other." 

791.  good  day,  the  usual  friendly  salutation. 

794.  as  he  ruere^as  though  he  were.     "As  it  had  been  the 
face  of  an  angel."     Acts  vi.  15.     In  which  case  had  been  is  subj. 
798.  tvood  lyoicn=^ixn  enraged  lion. 

803.  /  lete  hem  =  I  leave  them  fighting  :  literally,  I  allow  them 
to  continue  fighting.  Fightyng  dzvelle  is  an  infinitive  phrase, 
which  must  be  construed  as  a  noun  used  in  the  ace.  like  an 
adverb. 

804.  forth  is  here  used  with  the  idea  of  motion,  —  the  advance 
of  the  story,  like  henceforth. 

805.  The  destynd.  Article  used  to  correlate  with  that;  cf. 
Lat.  id  .  .  .  quod. 

mynistre  ^c;/era/=  minister-general,  general  nianager.  In 
most  instances  in  which  the  noun  precedes  the  adjective,  Chaucer 
follows  the  French  idiom. 

809.  by  ye  or  nay.    "Yea  and  nay  were  originally  the  answers 


220  NOTES   TO    THE   KNIGHTES    TALE. 

to  questions  framed  in  the  affirmative;  yes  and  no,  the  answers 
to  questions  framedin  the  negative."  Bible  Word-Book.  Thus 
jea  and  naj  acquire  the  force  of  certainty.  "  But  let  your  com- 
munication be  yea,  yea,  nay,  nay"  (Matt.  v.  37) ;  that  is,  definite. 
A.S.  hyt ys,  hytys;  hyt  ttys,  hyt  nys.  "The  promises  of  God  are 
yea"  (2  Cor.  i.  20)  ;   that  is,  certain. 

Sio.  It  —  ///rt'/=that  —  which;  cf.  "Art  thou  not  it  that  (he 
who)  hath  cut  Rahab.''"     Is.  li.  9. 

815.  "This  say  I  now  with  reference  to  mighty  Theseus." 
818.  "  No  day  dawneth  to  him  in  bed ;  "  i.e.,  day-light  never 
finds  him  in  bed. 

823.  (5rt«c  =  destruction,  death;   cf.  Goth,  banja,  U  blow. 

824.  Mars,  the  god  of  war;  Diane,  Dia?ia,  the  goddess  of 
hunting.  After  does  not  refer  to  time  :  his  first  choice  was  war; 
his  second,  hunting. 

828.  clothed  refers  to  the  whole  party.  "And  I  warne  you 
that  there  be  none  of  3'ou  but  that  he  be  well  horsed,  and  that  ye 
all  be  clothed  in  greene,  either  in  silke  or  in  cloth."  Qiieene 
Guenever's  orders  for  a  Maying  party  in  the  Hist,  of  K.  Arthur, 
iii.  c.  129. 

829.  0}i  honthig.  0?i  explains  the  force  of  «  in  similar  con- 
structions, —  a  being  an  abbreviation  of  on,  as  a,  the  article,  is 
an  abbreviation  of  an-  Chaucer  uses  both  forms  :  aloft,  o?i  loft, 
abed,  on  bed,  apart,  on  part,  alive,  on  live.  So  in  the  Bible, 
a  dying,  a  fishing.  Earle,  in  his  Philology  of  the  English 
Tongue  (p.  376),  says,  "I  derive  this  a  from  the  French 
prepositions,  thus  afoot  represents  apied,''  —  a  view  which  is 
refuted  by  nearly  every  instance  in  which  it  occurs  in  Early 
English. 

833.  lawide.  "  Lande :  a  Land,  or  Laund,  a  wild,  untilled,  shrub 
bie  or  bushie  Plaine."     Cotgr. 

"  Whan  they  come  to  the  laund  on  hight, 
The  quenys  pavylon  there  was  pight 
That  she  myght  se  of  the  best 
All  the  game  [sport]  of  the  forest." 

Ipomydon,  383,  Weber  ii.  295. 
"  Then  went  they  doune  into  a  launde 
These  noble  archeres  all  three ; 
Eche  of  them  slew  a  hart  of  greece  \_prize'\ 
-^         The  best  that  they  could  se." 

Adam  Bell,  Percy's  Rel. 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIOHTES    TALE.  221 

"For  through  this  laund  anon  the  deer  will  come." 

Shak.  3  Hen.  VI.  iii.  i. 
In  the  first  quotation  latmd  seems   to  denote  a  cleared  hill ;  in 
the  second  a  cleared  valley;  in  the  third,  an  open  space  between 
two  forests,  —  so  that  the  leading  idea  of  the  word  is  a  cleared 
space. 

/it'm.  After  verbs  of  motion  the  pronoun  is  often  used  reflex- 
ively,  forming  a  middle  voice. 

834.  t/iider^=  thither,  —  the  proper  form  with  a  verb  of  motion. 
Modern  English  incorrectly  uses  there,  where,  here,  for  thither, 
whither,  hither. 

won^  have  =  wont  to  have. 

835.  Scan  :  And  ov'r  ]  a  brook  |  &c. 

837.  him  lust  comauude=^  it  pleased  him  to  order. 
839.  .i7«^^r  =  towards.     Looking  towards  the  sun,  they  would 
be  distinguishable  from  a  greater  distance. 

841.  breeme  =  furiously.  For  an  interesting  note  on  this 
word  see  M.  Muller,  Sc.  of  Lang.  ii.  232. 

*'  And  breres  brimme  for  to  pricke."     R.  R.  1836. 
"Neither  bragger  ne  boster  ffor  no  bremme  wordis." 

Dep.  Ric.  IL  p.  11. 
as  it  -were  =  as  though   it  were ;  as  though  they  were.     It 
refers  to  boorcs  two ;  the  verb  is   plural   to  agree  with  the  noun 
following;  cf.  "it  nam  nat  I,"  602.     "ItamI,"87S.     "  It  ben  the 
schirrefes  men." 

844.  "  It  seemed  that  the  lightest  stroke  of  either  would  fell 
an  oak." 

as  it  ivolde  =  as  though  it  would.     //  refers  to  strooh. 

845.  w//a/'=what  sort  of  persons;  who.  What  refers  rather 
to  rank,  calling,  or  nationality. 

iiothing=^  in  no  respect.  "  For  every  creature  [thing  created] 
of  God  is  good,  and  nothi7ig  [by  no  means]  to  be  refused."  i  Tim. 
iv.  4. 

848.  Hoo,  an  exclamation  used  by  Heralds  to  stop  the  fight; 
used  now  to  stop  horses,  whoa. 

849.  leesyng^  a  verbal  noun,  hence  followed  hy  of. 

852.  tvhat  mestcy  ;«£?«  =  what  sortjof_men.     See  note  P.,  613. 
855.  (>^'?7"<'5  =  lists.     See  note  P.,  63. 

857.  vjhat  needeth  =  in  what  respect  (why)  does  it  need. 

858.  the  deth.  Death  would  imply  a  natural  death,  while  the 
death  —  the  noun  being  emphasized  by  the  demonstrative  —  im- 


222  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIOHTES   TALE, 

plies  the  death  fixed  by  law,  death  as  a  punishment;  ike  death  is 
also  used  to  denote  any  remarkable  mortality. 

bothe  txvo.  With  pronouns  both  is  usually  construed  sub- 
stantively; e.g.,  both  of  us:  with  nouns  adjectively;  e.g.,  both 
men. 

862.  "  give  us  neither  mercy  nor  protection.'* 

865.  y^^czre  =  may  know  ;  subj. 

lj'te  =  not;  literally,  little  ;  cf.  Lat.  minus,  minime,  not,  by  no 
means. 

867.  <^«;/>'5c^2'  =  banished.  Ban,  banish,  bandit,  abandon,  are 
all  from  the  root  bati,  common  to  all  Teutonic  languages,  which 
means  a  proclamation,  an  announcement.  We  have  the  word 
still  in  use  in  "  the  banns  of  marriage."  In  French  bati  became 
batidon  with  the  notion  of  authority ;  hence  abandon  is  to  bring 
under  the  control  of  any  one,  to  subdue;  and  as  bringing  a  per- 
son under  the  absolute  control  of  one,  necessarily  destroys  the 
previous  authority,  it  acquired  a  secondary  meaning  of  the  sur- 
render of  control.  An  "abandoned  character"  is  a  character 
which  has  thrown  off  moral  control ;  an  '*  abandoned  tenement" 
is  a  tenement  over  which  the  owner  has  surrendered  his  author- 
ity. From  ban^  bando,  we  have  a  Mid.  Lat.  banire,  bandire,  to 
proclaim,  to  denounce,  to  publicly  order  out  of  the  realm,  to 
banish ;  bajidit,  one  so  banished ;  and,  because  thus  put  out  of 
the  pale  of  law,  a  robber,  an  oictla-v. 

876.  W(?/}i?/:^  unfortunate,  full  of  wo. 

877.  ivikkedly^=^Q,x2SW\y,\iy  using  deception,  —  not  implying 
any  moral  wrong. 

881.  y^w£5e_=  judgment,  condemnation. 

"  Ther  nas  .  .  . 
Ne  juge,  ne  justice,  that  jewis  durste  hem  deme." 

Dep.  Ric.  II.  26,  10. 
883.  bothe  we  =  we  both;    cf.  1.  858. 

885.  schort  coticlusioun  =  a  brief  argument,  a  conclusion  briefly 
reached. 

887.  r^cor^f?  =  record  it,  as  the  decision  of  the  judge. 

888.  to  -pyne  yoiv  vjith  the  corde,  to  put  you  to  the  torture,  to 
extort  a  confession  of  the  truth.         " 

8S9.  schul  be  deed ^=  ye  vaxx^t  die.     Schul,  ^\.\   sing,  schal. 
890.  verray  ivoinmujihede  =  simply  because  of  her  woman- 
hood. 

893.  as  it  thoughte  hem  alle^^  as  it  seemed  to  them  all. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGETES   TALE.  223 

894.  "That  ever  such  an  event  should  happen." 

896.  nothings  adv.  =  for  notliing.     See  note  1.  845. 

897.  And  5«Tfe=and  when  they  saw.  When  the  subject  is 
readily  supplied  from  the  context,  it  is  frequently  omitted.  Shak- 
speare  takes  the  same  liberty. 

5or(?  =  severe  ;  cf.  "It  was  a  sore  trial." 

898.  lesse  and  more ^^ho\.\\  low  and  high  (in  rank).  Zr^55  and 
jnore  are  comparatives.  The  Early  English  was  far  stricter  than 
the  modern  in  requiring  the  comparative  degree  when  there  was 
even  an  implied  comparison  between  two  terms.  So  we  have 
'whither  for  where,  ^vhether  for  which,  either  for  or,  &c. 

905.  in  a  clause  ^= '\n  one  view;  literally,  in  one  enclosure. 
He  considers  not  only  the  trespass,  but  the  occasion  as  well. 
The  word,  in  this  sense,  is  sometimes  spelled  close,  Fr.  clause, 
Lat.  claicsiis,  from  claudere  to  shut;  hence  an  enclosed  place;  a 
sentence  enclosed  in  another;  that  which  closes  an  argument, 
a  conclusion  ;   that  which  decides  an  argument. 

906.  /r^5jz^«5  =  trespass.  O.  Fr.  trans-passer ;  cf.  transgress. 
The  idea  of  moral  wrong  is  generally  expressed  by  words  sig- 
nifying a  going  over  or  beyond. 

908.  resouji  =  reflection,  opposed  to  the  hasty  decisions  of 
anger. 

913.  Of  vjommen.  Strictly  genitive  of  origin  of  the  feeling. 
The  modern  construction  is  "  had  compassion  on  women." 

Evere  in  oon  =  evQT:  anon  ;   literally,  ever  in  one  (moment). 

915.  Fy,  an  exclamation  implying  disapprobation  or  disgust, 
—  faugh.     Fr.^f,  Ger.  pfui,  Gr.  <pev. 

921.  discrecioun,  literally,  ability  to  separate;  the  word  seems 
to  be  used  in  a  sense  stricter  than  the  modern. 

922.  caTtJUJ-dluLsimin  =  knows  no  djstmction. 

923.  after  oon  =  in  the  same  manner. 

926.  in  highte^on  high,  aloud.  From  the  idea  of  height 
the  transition  to  greatness  is  easy.  "  He  lifted  up  his  voice  and 
wept."     "  That  sabbath  was  an  high  day."    John  xix.  31. 

929.  gayneth^='a.\^\\,  pK     See  1.  318. 

930.  _/br  =  because  of.     Lat.  fro. 

931.  at  his  oxvnc  gyse  =in  his  own  way,  at  his  pleasure. 

932.  "As  it  may  please  him  to  devise." 

936.  ■zviten  =  who  know;    subject  to  be  supplied. 

940.  loketh  =  look  I   imperative. 

941.  ty  that  he  love  =  if  so  be  that  he  love. 


224  NOTES    TO   THE  KNIOHTES   TALE. 

942.  5/V  =  sits.     This  whole  passage  is  ironical. 

946.  Nothing  that  can  happen  to  those  who  serve  Love  can 
make  them  think  that  thej  have  not  acted  wisely. 

947.  for  ought,  &c.,  correlates  with  yet. 

950.  "  Is  as  much  (and  no  more)  obliged  to  them  as  to  me." 
C«;^ /-^a;//^  =  acknowledge  an  obligation.     Ger.  dank -wtssen. 
"Thej  will  never  con  you  thanke."     K.  Arthur  iii.  301. 

952.  "  But  altogether  it  (Love)  must  be  experienced,  hot  or 
cold;  "   i.e.,  young  or  old. 

953.  Or — c>r=  either  —  or. 

955.  by  myself  =^-  by  my  own  experience. 
fill  yore  agoii=^  long  time  ago. 

956.  servant  -was  I on=^l  was  a  servant  (of  Love). 

966.  may  =  am  able. 

967.  del  =pa.rt,  deal;  cf.  "a  great  deal ;  "  "a  tenth  deal  of 
flour."     Kx7  xxix.  40. 

968.  "  And  they  swore  to  him  fairly  and  well  what  he 
asked," 

969.  "  And  prayed  him  for  lordship  and  for  good  will.'' 

of  Lordschipe^  Sic,  genitives  after  verb  of  asking;  the  acct 
would  be  gift,  understood.  They  acknowledged  fealty  to  him, 
which  would  prevent  their  levying  an  offensive  war  under  cover 
of  the  tournament. 

974.  tyme  =  the  proper  time.  "A  time  to  every  purpose." 
Eccl.  iii.  I. 

975.  as  for  =  \v'ith  regard  to.  Literally,  all  so  in  regard  to; 
an  emphatic  form  of  for. 

Cf'jg.  al  be.,  &c.  =  although  it  be  pleasant  or  unpleasant  to  him. 

9S0.  A  proverb,  denoting  a  useless  occupation  ;  cf.  "  Let  him 
whistle  for  it." 

985.  As  him  is  schaf>e  =  2^.%  it  has  been  determined  for  him. 
The  ordeal  of  battle  was  a  common  method  of  appeal  to  the 
Deitv. 

989.  If  that  you  liketh  =  if  this  pleases  you, 

990.  w>^fr  =  whither.  In  E.E.  whether  and  whither  are  fre- 
quently abbreviated  into  ivhere.  The  origin  of  our  use  of  where 
for  tvhither  may  be  thus  explained. 

991.  dauftger  =  fine.     See  note  P.,  663. 

992.  fyfty  ivykes  =  a  year. 

fer  ne  neer  =  further  nor  nearer,  ^more  or  less;   syncopated 
comparatives. 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  225 

994.  Arjned — ?<;/ =  uparmed,  completely  armed;  cf.  "used 
up." 

995.  See  1.  751. 

998.  ^vhcther^=^\\n(i\\.   (of  two).     "Whether  of  them   twain 
.did  the  will  of  his  father."     Matt.  xxi.  31. 
1000.  spak  of=  mentioned. 

1002.  to  ivyve=to  wife.      Wyve  is  dative.     See  note,  1.  431. 

1003.  ivhojn  =  to  him,  to  whom. 

that^=  it  shall  be  that.  That  after  conjunctions  may  usually 
be  construed  with  this  ellipsis. 

1005.  re-iVe  =  may  God  have  pity.  Cf.  "  me  reweth"  =  I  am 
sorry. 

1009.  ty  you  thi7iketh  =  if  this  seem  to  you.  Ton  is  dative ; 
the  nominative  is  always  ye.  "  This  is  wel  isayd  "  is  the  subject 
of  thinketh. 

1016.  don — grace  =^  diOno.  (wrought)  so  fair  a  favor. 

1017.  on  knees  ^=  on  his  knees.  The  old  idiom  which  allowed 
the  omission  of  the  demonstrative  or  possessive  pronoun,  in 
cases  when  such  omission  would  occasion  no  ambiguity,  is 
preferable  to  the  modern. 

inaner  w/g/ii^^hind  of  man.  Of  is  omitted  after  manner, 
as  though  used  adjectively. 

1019.  namely  =  especiiiWy,  worthy  of  mention  by  name. 
102 1,  gonne  they  ryde  =  did  they  ride ;   they  rode. 
1023.  men  =  one,  the  indefinite  pronoun  =  the  reader. 

1025.  go//i  =  goeth,  goes.  The  termination  et/i  in  Chaucer's 
time  was  passing  into  5;  in  the  northern  dialects  the  pi.  ef/i  had 
passed  into  s.  We  use  s  only  in  place  of  the  singular  et/i,  our  pi. 
having  come  from  the  plural  in  en. 

1026.  to  maken  up  =  to  prepare.  Up  must  be  construed  with 
the  verb  as  a  separable  preposition.  From  the  idea  high  it 
readily  acquires  an  intensive  force. 

1027.  that,  correlative  of  so,  1.  1025. 

1031.  i7i  maner  of  compaas  ^  in  the  form  of  a  circle.  Article 
omitted. 

1032.  degrees  =  steps  rising  one  above  another.  "  This  maner 
of  stage  in  half-circle  the  Greekes  called  theatrum,  as  much  to 
say  as  a  beholding  place,  which  was  also  in  such  sort  contriued 
by  benches  and  greeces  to  stand  or  set  upon,  as  no  man  should 
empeach  anothers  sight."     Puttenham,  52.     Arber. 

the  height  =  to  the  height  of.     Accusative  of  measure. 

15 


226  NOTES   TO   TEE  KNIGHTES   TALE, 

1034.  Iette  =  'he  should  not  hinder,  subj. 

1035.  Here  begins  a  description  of  this  circular  theatre.  On 
the  north  was  the  turret  of  Diana,  with  the  oratory;  on  the  east 
the  marble  gate,  above  which  was  the  altar  and  oratory  of  Venus  ; 
the  south  side  was  open  ;  on  the  west  another  marble  gate,  above 
which  was  the  altar  and  oratory  of  Mars. 

Estward ;   i.e.,  to  one  within. 

1037.  con-clud-e.  infinitive. 

1038.  as  =  thus.  "  There  was  no  such  place  in  earth,  that  is 
to  say,  in  so  little  space."  The  uses  of  as  in  E.E.  are  many  of 
them  difficult  of  explanation,  but  can  generally  be  understood 
by  a  reference  to  the  original  meaning  all-so.  Tyrwhitt  omits 
as,  but  according  to  the  canon  that  the  most  difficult  reading  is 
probably  the  correct  one,  we  have  retained  it. 

1040.  Who  hiatus  (was  acquainted  with)  geometry  or  arith- 
metic. 

■Mrsmetrike  =  arithmetic,    derived  by  a  false  etymology  from 
ars-meirica.     Gr.  uptO/iTjTiKT/.     Gower  writes  arsmetique. 

1043.  dev^'se  =^  \.o  embellish.  Devise  means  to  contrive; 
hence  to  make  that  which  requires  skill.  To  make  evidently 
refers  to  the  construction  of  the  building;  while  devyse  refers  to 
the  more  elaborate  parts  of  the  same.  "  To  devise  curious 
works."     Ex.  XXXV.  32. 

1045.  hath  to  be  construed  with  don  make,  1.  1047. 

1047.  Don  make  =  caused  (them)  to  make,  caused  to  be  made. 
Don  pp.,  make  inf. 

oratorye==  a  place  of  prayer. 

1050.  coste,  pret. 

105 1,  on  the  ivall.  The  three  oratories  were  built  on  the  wall, 
so  as  to  be  in  full  view  from  all  parts  of  the  theatre. 

1055.  don  TV rotight=vf Yowght,  c?i.\\s>ed  (to  be)  made.  "This 
should  rather  be  doji  -work.  The  participle  of  the  past  time  is 
improperly  put  for  the  infinitive  mode.  But  the  same  inaccuracy 
occurs  again  :  "  These  marchants  have  don  fraught  here  schippes 
newe."  Tyrwhitt.  See  1.  1047.  It  would  perhaps  be  better  to 
consider  wrought  as  the  infinitive,  with  an  ellipsis  of  to  be. 
Cf.  "  He  has  ordered  a  house  built,"  i.e.  to  be  built. 

i7i  noble  tvise  =  in  splendid  style. 

1056.  forgeten  =  neglected.  In  modern  English  the  expres- 
sion would  be,  "  I  have  forgotten."  Had  forgotten  refers  rather 
to  the  time  of  the  neglect  than  to  the  fact. 


NOTES   TO  TEE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  227 

1058.  sckap  refers  to  the  carving;  contenaunce,  to  the  paint- 
ings ;  figures^  to  the  composition  of  the  works  of  art. 

1061.  -wrought  071  the  wal ;  i.e.,  on  the  wall  of  the  oratory. 
Morris  says,  "viz.,  over  the  gate  and  wall,  i.e.,  over  a  sort  of 
barbican;"  but  Chaucer  is  not  describing  the  position  of  the 
oratory,  but  of  the  paintings,  «&c.,  within  the  temple;  of.  11. 
mo,  nil. 

1062.  colde  =  sad.  An  epithet,  descriptive  of  the  effect, 
applied   to  the  cause. 

1063.  sacred  =  devoted.     Cf.  Fr.  sacre. 

"  To  destruction  sacred  and  devote." 

Par.  Lost,  iii.  208. 

"  The  coming  of  their  sacred  foe"  [i.e.,  Satan]. 

lb.,  iv.  7. 
ieeres  =  tears.     From  a  root  signifying  to  bite ;  hence  bitter. 

1064.  desiryfig  =  desire:   a  verbal  noun. 
1067.  fool-hardynesse  =  the  boldness  of  a  fool. 

1069.  lesyyiges^r^YxQ,^^  falsehood.  "Thou  shalt  destroy  them 
that  speak  leasing."     Ps.  v.  6. 

1070.  5«5>'«e55e=  anxiety.  "Martha,  thou  art  bisy  and  art 
troublid  aboute  ful  many  thingis."     Luke  x.  41  (Wiclif ). 

1071.  guides  =  marigolds  :  so  called  from  their  yellow  color, 
the  color  denoting  jealousy. 

107^'!'^  Scan  :  And  |  a  cuk  |  kow,  &c. 

1074.  Z,«5/  =  pleasure,  in  no  odious  sense. 
Array.     See  P.,  330. 

circumstaunces  =  things  appertaining  to.  We  use  the  word 
surroundings  in  this  sense. 

1075.  /  rekned  have  atid  schal  =  I  have  recounted  and  shall 
recount.  Tyrwhitt  reads :  "  Which  that  I  reken  and  reken 
shall." 

1076.  by  ordre  =  in  proper  arrangement.  Lat.  ex  ordine. 
We  also  find  the  A.S.  equivalent  arexve. 

1077.  make  of  menciou7i  =  make  mention  of. 

loSi.  lustynesse  =  pleasure  ;  here  denotes  that  which  occasions 
pleasure. 

1092.  "  For  when  it  pleases  her,  then  may  she  turn  the 
world." 

as^=  when.  Cf.  "  What  manner  of  communications  are  these 
that  ye  have  one  to  another,  as  ye  walk."  Luke  xxiv.  17.  Tyr- 
whitt omits  thati,  and  reads  liste,  subj. 


228  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIQHTES   TALE. 

1097.    Scan  :  The  stat  ]  u  of  Ve  |  nus,  &c. 

iioi.  right  kond.  The  right  hand  (Lat.  rectus.^  from  regere)^ 
means  the  controlling  hand.  So  the  left  hand  has  nothing  to  do 
with  leave,  but  is  rather  O.E.  left.     O.S.  Icf,  weak. 

1 104.  dowves  =^  do\e%.  "Perhaps  from  its  habit  of  ducking 
the  head."  Wedgwood.  It  is  strange  that  Wedgwood  should 
have  departed  from  his  favorite  theory  here  :  it  seems  more  prob- 
able that  this  is  a  true  onomatopoetic  word,  —  \ht  Gqt.  taube, 
A.S.  duva,  being  quite  an  exact  imitation  of  their  note. 

1 107.  as  it  is  often  seen.  It  refers  to  the  fact  stated,  and  not 
to  any  particular  word. 

1 1 12.  in  lengthe  a7id  breede  =  in  length  and  breadth,  —  on  the 
sides  and  ends. 

\i\-T^.  estres.  " Les  estres  d'un  maison.  The  inward  conveyances, 
private  windings  or  turnings  within,  entries  into,  issues  out  of,  a 
house."     Cotgr. 

1121.  swough.  "And  what  soun  is  it  [swough]  lyke  quod  he 
Peter  !  betynge  of  the  see 
Quod  Y,  ajen  the  roches  holowe."  H.  of  F.,  ii.  523. 

1122.  sc hulde  berstett  =^  vfouXd  burst;  i.e.,  break  by  bending. 
S/iall,  originally  denoting  obligation,  easily  passes  into  the 
notion  of  futurity,  especially  with  the  added  idea  of  compulsion. 
The  past  tense  implies  an  antecedent  obligation,  and  in  like 
manner  passes  into  the  idea  of  present  or  future  action,*^epend- 
ing  upon  some  previous  obligation,  or  as  the  result  of  some 
previous  compulsion.  In  this  verse  the  sounds  before  mentioned 
indicate  an  accumulation  of  forces  which  will  speedily  destroy 
the  forest.  Strictly  speaking,  -would  refers  to  an  antecedent 
desire,  should  to  an  antecedent  obligation. 

1 123.  downward ;   i.e.,  below  on  the  wall. 

under  a  bente  =  below  a  slope,  —  on  a  hill  amidst  the  forests. 

1125.  ^/i!r«^(/^=  burnished  ;  cf.  A.S.  byrtte,  a  coat  of  mail,  as 
though  from  byrnan^  wrought  in  the  fire,  forged ;  cf.  also  bran- 
uew,  for  which  we  find  in  E.E.  fire-new. 

1 129.  northen  light.  Some  suppose  that  this  refers  to  the 
aurora  borealis,  but  probably  it  denotes  only  the  dim  light  re- 
ceived by  a  narrow  opening  to  the  north.  This  temple  being 
situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  theatre,  —  the  south  side  being 
open,  —  the  only  access  to  it  from  the  wall  would  be  on  the  north 
side,  which  may  have  suggested  this  description. 

1 133.  y-c/<?//c^e</=  strengthened  by  bars  of  iron.     The  orig- 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  229 

inal  idea  of  the  word  seems  to  be  a  lump  or  mass;  acli»c/iedna.\\, 
is  a  nail  with  a  lump  hammered  upon  the  point.  We  cletich  the 
fist  when  we  make  the  hand  into  a  ball.  In  this  verse  icle7tchcd 
must  refer  to  the  protuberant  bars  of  iron  riveted  upon  the  doors 
to  strenfjthen  them. 

ovcrtkzvart  and  endelofig" ^=  acros?,  and  endwise.  "But  Sir 
Launcelot  rode  overthwart  and  endlong  in  a  wild  forest."  K. 
Arthur,  iii.  81. 

1134.  /r^;/  =  iron.  A.S.  t'ren,  tsen,  from  ar  (rhotacism  for  as, 
Lat.  aes)  ore,  copper,  properly  ike  metal ;  hence  used  to  denote 
different  metals  as  each  became  prominent. 

1 135.  Every  -pile y ;  cf.  : 

"  The  building  was  a  spacious  theatre 

Half-round,  on  two  main  pillars  vaulted  high, 
With  seats."     Samson  Ag.  1605. 

1 137.  First  correlates  \v\W\  yet  11.  1147,  ii53'  i^SQ?  dividing  the 
description  into  sections,  corresponding  to  the  sections  of  the 
painting.  In  the  first  scene  the  leading  subject  is  Felony;  in 
the  second.  Suicide;  in  the  third,  War,  with  its  attendant  out- 
rages, and  consequent  evils;    and  lastly.  Conquest. 

Tmagmy72g  =  conception  ;  opposed  to  compas$yng. 

113S.  felonye.  According  to  Spelman,  from/ee,  goods,  estate, 
and  loti  wlitCTTsignifies  price  or  value.  See  Blackstone,  Com.  iv. 
95.  K  felon  is  thus  one  whose  property  or  estate  has  been  confis- 
cated as  a  punishment  for  crime.  Because  death  was  the  usual 
punishment  of  such  crimes  as  w^orked  a  forfeiture  of  estate. y"^/c;;/y 
frequently  denotes  a  capital  crime. 

compassyng.  "  Compassing  or  imagining  the  death  of  the 
king  are  sj-nonymous  tenns  :  the  word  compass  signifying  the  pur- 
pose or  design  of  the  mind  or  will,  and  fiot  as  i?i  cotnmon  speech 
the  carrying  such  design  into  effect."  Blackstone  iv.  78.  Mor- 
ris explains  the  word  as  contrivance. 

1140.  drede  ^or\e  who  causes  dread:  perhaps  here  to  be  ex- 
plained from  its  connection  with  pike-purse  as  a  house-breaker. 
The  original  notion  of  dread  is  that  of  trembling  through  fear. 
Milton  calls  Satan  "our  Dread." 

114T.  smyler  =  one  who  hides  cruel  purpose  under  a  cloak  of 
good-will  ;^~*' The   treacherous    smile,   a    mask  for  secret  hate." 
Cowper.     Wharton  in  his  Hist.  Eng.  Poetry  reads  smiter. 
"I  speak  of  peace,  while  covert  enmity 
Under  the  smile  of  safety,  wounds  the  world." 

2  Kg.  Hen.  IV.,  Ind 


230  NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE. 

1 142.  schepne  =  stables.     A.S.  scypai ;  Tj^rwhitt  reads  shepen 

1 143.  /r6'5o/(f«  =  treachery ;    here  contrasted  with  open  iverre. 

1144.  bi-bled=^hQ-\At<\\  <^e  =  the  transitive  prefix. 

1 149.  a-nyght=^?Ci  night.  Alluding,  as  Morris  suggests,  to 
the  death  of  Sisera,  the  Canaanitish  general,  whom  Jael  slew. 
Tjrwhitt  reads  07i  hight. 

1 150.  colde  deth  =  cold  dead  body. 

1151.  meschaimce.  "  Desconfort  and  sory  countenaunce " 
qualify  meschaunce. 

1154.  Armed  complaint  =  x\ot.  An  idea  caught  by  the  poet 
probably  from  the  troviblous  times  of  Wat  Tyler's  rebellion.  It 
here  means  the  presentation  of  a  complaint  by  an  armed  body 
of  men, 

outhees  =  outcry.  "  From  hutesium,  a  term  well  known  in 
our  law."     T. 

outrage  =  excess.  This  word  has  no  connection  with  rage, 
but  is  a  form  assumed  from  Low  Latin,  ultragium,  from  ultra. 
Gower  writes  oulirage. 

1157.  y-raft  =:^  seized,  plundered.  Reave  is  now  nearly  obso- 
lete, and  bereave  has  so  far  lost  its  original  meaning,  as  to  lose 
the  idea  of  injustice;  so  that  the  death  of  a  friend  is  called  a 
bereavement. 

1 159.  hoppesteres.  Tyrwhitt  explains  by  dancing,  from  hop- 
pia?t,  to  dance;  hoppestre,  a  female  dancer.  Speght  explains  it 
hy  pilots.  Others  with  greater  probability  explain  it  as  =  o^- 
posteres,  opposing,  hostile.  This  explanation  is  supported  by 
Boccacio's  Version  of  Statins,  which  reads  "navi  bellatrici." 

1 160.  with  =  hy ;  cf.  "  killed  with  kindness."     Seel.  1164. 

1161.  freten  =  to  devour;  to  be  construed  with  saugh. 

1 162.  Probably  a  proverbial  expression  for  one  sufiering  mis- 
fortune in  spite  of  every  precaution ;  cf.  Sq.  Tale,  256. 

"Therfore  behoveth  him  a  ful  long  spone 
That  shal  ete  with  a  fend." 

1163.  i5ij/ =  concerning.  By  originally  means  near;  cf.  "I 
know  nothing  by  myself;"  i.e.,  concerning  (against)  myself. 
I  Cor.  iv.  4. 

Of  Marte.  Alluding  to  the  supposed  malign  influence  of 
the  planet  Mars  in  one's  horoscope. 

1167.  smyth  =  oviO.  ^\\o  forges  with  a  hammer.  "The  smith 
has  his  name  from  the  sturdy  blows  that  he  smites  upon  the 
anvil."     Trench. 


NOTES   TO   TEE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  231 

1171.  Scan:  With  |  the  scharp  |  e  swerd  |  &c. 

1172.  soit'l  i-wtne  =  fi.ne.\y  &Tpun.      2"xi'///e  =  twined. 

1173.  ^«///«  =  Julius  Caesar,  slain  bj  Brutus  and  the  con- 
spirators. 

1 174.  Nero^  the  Roman  Emperor,  who  was  slain  by  the  popu- 
lace. 

A7ithonius,  Mark  Antony,  slain  in  Egypt. 

1176.  i/ier  byfo y /I  ^=he.iore  it  happened.  Observe  that  i/ier  is 
a  pronoun  in  the  dative. 

1 177.  ;/zrt;/«5;7/^  =  threatening;  that  is,  by  the  aspect  of  Mars 
in  their  horologe. 

figure  =  a  representation  of  the  position  of  the  planets  at 
their  birth.     An  astrologer  was  called  a  "  figure-flinger.'' 

1 181.   Sufiicei/i=^\ei  one  example  suffice. 

11S3.  statue,  trisyllable.  "It  is  certain  that  statue  was  fre- 
quently written  statua  in  Shakspeare's  age;  Bacon,  for  example, 
always,  I  believe,  so  writes  it;  and  it  is  not  impossible  that  its 
full  pronunciation  may  have  always  been  trisyllabic,  and  that  it 
became  a  dissyllable  only  by  the  two  short  vowels,  as  in  other 
cases,  being  run  together  so  as  to  count  prosodically  only  for 
one."  Craik's  E.  of  Shak.  246.  The  usual  pronunciation  in 
Chaucer  is  trisyllabic. 

carte  =  chariot,  car.  Cart  is  an  abbreviation  of  c/iari'ot,  and 
is  properly  a  diminutive  oi^  car.  We  use  car  in  an  elevated  sense, 
—  cart  always  in  an  inferior,  making  the  distinction  in  office 
chiefly.  Chariot,  which  now  is  used  to  denote  a  costly  and  stately 
vehicle,  in  E.E.  was  used  synonymously  with  cart.  "There  came 
by  a  chariot,  the  which  came  thither  for  to  fetch  wood.  'Tell  me, 
carter,'  said  Sir  Launcelot,  'what  I  shall  give  thee  for  to  suffer 
me  \p  leape  into  the  chariot.'""     K.  Arthur  iii.  251. 

11S4    as  =  as  if.     The  if  is  implied  by  the  subjunctive  -were. 

1186.  ben  clewed  =  ^VQ  called.  Are  is  a  comparatively  late 
word  in  English. 

scriptures  =  writings.  Now  restricted  to  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
as  the  Bible  is  to  t/ie  book,  by  way  of  eminence. 

1 187.  Scan  :  That  oon  |  Puella  |  &c. 

Puella  and  Rubeus  =  "  the  names  of  two  figures  in  geomancy, 
representing  two  constellations  in  heaven ;  Puella,  signifieth 
Mars  retrograde,  and  Rubeus,  Mars  direct."     Speght's  Gloss. 

1 188.  arayed  =^set  out  with  ornamental  surroundings;  to  put 
in  order  for  the  sake  of  ornament,  usually  applied  to  dress ;  but 


232  NOTES    TO    TEE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

sometimes,  as  here,  denoting  the  adjustment  of  parts,  as  in  a 
painting,  of  troops  in  an  army,  "in  battle  array;"  to  array  a 
jury,  that  is  to  call  them  man  by  man. 

1191.  Scan:  With  sot  1  yl  pence'l  |  depeynt  |  ed  was  |  this 
storie. 

Tyrwhitt  reads  peyjited,  which  corrects  the  metre. 

1197.  of  hunty7ig ;  i.e.,  with  scenes  descriptive  of. 

1 198.  CalystoJ)e=  Callisto,  a  daughter  of  Lycaon  ;  she  was  a 
companion  of  Diana. 

1202.  /  ca7i  say  no  fcrre  =  I  can  say  no  more  =  I  do  not  vouch 
for  the  truth  of  the  story. 

1204.  ^^a«c  =  Daphne,  who  was  changed  into  a  laurel,  that 
she  might  escape  the  violent  suit  of  Apollo. 

1207.  A^/ieon  =  Acteon,  who  was  changed  by  Diana  into  a 
stag,  and  torn  in  pieces  by  his  own  dogs,  for  his  irreverence. 

1212.  Ai/ialaun^e  =  Atalanta,  a  famous  huntress. 

1213.  iJ/c/r(7^;'^  =  Meleager,  a  famous  Calydonian  hunter. 
many  anof/icr  nio  =  mar\y  another  besides.     A.S.  ma  is,  used 

in  this  sense. 

1215.  xvonder  =  won^grful.  Wonder-storye  is  properly  a  com- 
pound noun.  When  two  nouns  are  joined,  the  first  being  used 
adjectively,  it  would  be  more  philosophical  to  consider  the  two 
as  one  compound. 

1216.  "The  which  I  do  not  care  to  call  to  mind." 
m^Jistn.Qi^\\.  pleases  me  not.     Dratve  (to  drawen)  is  the 

subject  of  list. 

1220.  Just  coming  to  the  full,  and  therefore  best  suited  for 
hunting. 

schiilde  =  would. 

1 221.  g-aude  greene  =  light  green,  the  favorite  color  of 
hunters. 

1224.  Zli^cr  =  where.  In  such  case  the  word  formed  from  the 
demonstrative  is  more  strictly  correct  than  the  usual  word  formed 
from  the  interrogative. 

1229.  "  Well  could  he  who  wrought  it  paint  life-like." 

1231.    Theseus  dative  after  likcde,  1.  1234. 

1234.  hym  li'kede=\t  pleased  him;  it  was  pleasing  to  him. 
Hym  refers  to  Theseus.  When  the  sentence  is  long,  and  the  verb 
at  quite  a  distance  from  the  subject,  a  pronoun  referring  to  the 
subject  is  inserted  just  before  the  verb ;  in  this  case  the  verb 
being  impersonal,  the  leading  subject  of  the  sentence  is  thrown 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  233 

into  the  dative,  and  thus  the  pronoun  which  is  inserted  is  thrown 
into  that  case.  "And  hit  licode  Herode."  "And  pleside  to 
Eroude."     Matt.  xiv.  6  (Wiclif). 

1238.  schulde  here  denotes  obligation. 

1240.  Scan  :  And  til  |  Athenes  |  here  cov  |  enant  |  to  hold. 

1243.  *'  And  trulj  many  a  man  thei*e  thought  that  never  since 
thew^orld  began  was  there  to  be  seen,  to  speak  of  the  knighthood 
of  either  party,  as  wide  as  God  has  made  sea  or  land,  so  noble  a 
company,  and  yet  so  few;  "  that  is,  so  many  nobles  in  so  small  a 
company. 

1245.  As,  namely,  that  is.  See  Abbott,  Shak.  Gr.  §  113.  As 
is  here  used  restrictively  =  for  instance;  it  does  not  serve  to 
introduce  an  example,  but  to  limit  the  extent  oi  the  preceding 
statement. 

1249.  J>assqnt  =  surpassing;  a  name  passing  from  mouth  to 
mouth;   \.q.,  re-tioivned. 

1250.  q£^  that  game  ;  i.e.,  one  of,  a  sharer  of  that  game;  par- 
titive. 

1251.  ivel  ivas  him  =  weal  was  to  him,  well  was  it  for  him. 
ther  to  =  to  it.      There  in  composition  with   prepositions   re- 
tains its  pronominal  force. 

1252.  if  ther  felle  such  a  caas  =  if  such  an  opportunity  should 
happen. 

1253.  lusty  ;=  vigorous;  that  state  of  body  which  gives  pleas- 
ure. 

1254.  paramours  =  gallantry,  gallant  actions.  Literally, 
"  with  loves."  See  1.  297.  What  at  first  was  a  descr.ptive  epi- 
thet came  in  time  to  be  used  as  a  noun,  designating  tl»e  thing  so 
described;  thus  par  amour  passed  into  the  noun  paramour,  de- 
noting (ist)  gallantry,  (2d)  lover,  or  the  person  inspiring  gal 
lantry  or  love.     Either  meaning  will  suit  here. 

hath  his  might ;  i.e.,  is  not  sick  or  wounded. 

1255.  it,  i.e.,  the  opportimity. 

1256.  ivolde  7vilne^=  would  wish. 

1257.  To  Jighte,  infinitive,  used  substantively. 

1258.  were  =  would  be. 

to  see  =  to  be  seen.     Gerundial ;  cf.  "  a  house  to  let." 

1259.  right  so  ;  i.e.,  inspired  by  similar  feelings. 
1261.   Sojn  =  one;  cf.  somme,  pi.  I.  126;?. 

Tvol  =  prefer. 

1263.  somme,  pi.  of  sofn. 


234  NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

^eyre  flatcs  =  armor  for  the  breast  and  back;  double  plates, 
contrasted  with  breastplates, 

1267.  "There  is  no  new  contrivance  that  was  not  known  of 
old,"  —  as  though  defending  himself  from  the  charge  of  anach- 
ronism in  arming  his  knights  in  the  armor  of  his  day. 

1269.  after  his  of)iniou7i  =  according  to  his  choice. 

1270.  Ther  tnaistoxv  sen  =  there  mayst  thou  see. 
1274.    T/icy,  redundant. 

1276.  kenipe  =  coarse,  shaggj.  Kemps  =  hair  among  wool. 
From  A.S.  cemhan  to  comb;  hence  that  which  is  combed,  as 
hair;  also  that  which  is  combed  out,  snarled  or  knotted  hair. 

1277.  braivnes  —  the  muscular  parts  of  the  body,  particularly 
(as  here)  the  calf  of  the  leg,  and  the  fleshy  parts  of  the  arms. 

1283.  nayles  yehve  ^=  yeWow  buttons,  resembling  the  heads 
of  nails. 

1284.  foy-old=  very  old.  Morris.  Tyrwhitt  reads  "  for  old" 
=  for  age.     The  former  is  preferable. 

1287.  w^6'/^^  =  wreath.  The  A.S.  verb  has  two  forms, — 
wret/iian  and  -writ/nan^  —  both  of  which  are  preserved  in  modern 
English,  but  with  a  divergence  of  meaning. 

1289.  rubies  =  0.  precious  stone  of  red  color.     Lat.  rubeus. 
^V'«;;zrtz^«/fz  =  diamonds,  —  a  corruption  of  adamant.    We  here 

see  the  word  in  a  transitional  state. 

1290.  alauntz=^?i  species  of  dog.  '■'■  Alajio  is  the  Spanish 
name  of  a  species  of  dog  which  the  dictionaries  call  a  mas- 
tiff."   T. 

1294.    Colers,  supply  ivitk. 
fyled  rounde,  —  so  as  to  turn  easily. 

1300.  clotk  of  gold  ^^  cXo\h.  with  gold  threads  inwoven. 

^0/^/'^^=  wrought  in  flourishes,  ornamented. 

"And  it  [the  bow]  was  painted  well  and  thwitten  [carved] 
And  over  all  diapred  and  written."  Rom.  R.,  934. 
This  word  is  from  the  Latin  Jaspis,  a  jasper  stone,  — the  colors 
of  which  are  often  in  stripes  and  figures,  whence  it  was  much 
used  in  ornamental  jewelry.  The  verb,  derived  from  the  noun, 
soon  came  to  denote  a  species  of  ornamentation  resembling  the 
natural  marks  of  the  jasper;  and  from  this  verb,  we  have  again 
derived  a  noun  denoting  cloth  with  a  pattern  inwoven,  —  diaper. 
Fr.  diaspre. 

1302.  cloth  of  Tars=  a  kind  of  silk.  "  Tartarian  cloths  are  so 
skilfully  woven  that  no  painter  with  his  brush  could  equal,  much 


NOTES  TO   THE  KNIGHTES  TALE.  235 

less  surpasSj  them."    Quoted  from  Boccaccio  in  Longfellow's  Dante, 

I.  283. 

1307.  ironne  =  arranged.     Morris  explains  by  "  clotted." 

** cheveicx  annelez.      Haire  frizzled,  curled,   or   twirled  round,  or 

into  round  knots."      Cot. 

131 1.  y>e>^;/£?5=  freckles.     Probably  another  form  o?  Jiecken, 

spots. 

1313.  cas/e  =  threw  around. 

1314.  ca5/e  =  should  judge.  There  was  no  objection  in 
Chaucer's  day  to  using  the  same  words  as  rhymes  if  their  signi- 
fication was  different.  Gower  frequently  uses  a  noun  and  a  verb 
from  the  same  root 

13 15.  sprynge  =  to  spring  up,  to  grow.  So  spring  is  the  sea- 
son in  which  vegetation  sprouts.  The  original  idea  seems  to  be 
to  rise  up. 

1320.  tame.  A  tame  animal  is  literally  one  subdued,  one  that 
will  obey  man. 

1323.  171  alle  jna7zer  thinges  ^=  in  all  manner  of  things ;  i.e.,  in 
all  kinds  of  armor. 

1327.  071  every  part  =  on  every  side. 

1328.  lepart  =  leopard.  "  The  leopard  was  not  for  the  Greek 
and  Latin  zoologists  a  species  by  itself,  but  a  mongrel  birth  of 
the  male  panther  or  pard  and  the  lioness;  and  in  its  name 
'leopard'  (or  lion-pard)  this,  its  assumed  double  descent,  is  ex- 
pressed."    Trench. 

1329.  alle  a7id  so7ne  =  one  and  all;  literally,  "  all  and  one." 
For  this  use  of  so7)ze,  cf.  11.  397,  1261-1265.  "  Summe  other  alle." 
An.  R.,  28. 

1330.  ^ee7i  co7?ze  =  are  come  ;   intransitive  perfect. 

t/ie  So7iday.  Palamon  escaped  May  3d  (1.  605)  and  meets 
Arcite  :  this  day  was  Fridav,  11.676,681.  Their  duel  was  the 
next  day,  —  Saturday,  May  5th.  They  were  to  meet  that  day 
fifty  weeks,  which  must  be  taken  as  meaning  a  year.  May  5th 
the  next  year  would  be  Sunday. 

1331.  pri7ne  =  six  o'clock  in  the  morning.  "  The  first  quarter 
of  the  artificial  day."  T.  In  the  Catholic  Church,  the  next  ser- 
vice after  matins,  and  hence  the  usual  hour  of  such  service. 

alight,  to  be  construed  with  beeTi. 

1334.  everych  at  his  degre  =  each  according  to  his  rank. 
1336.   T<Kese7i  he77t  =  to  entertain^them.     See  P.,  29  and  note; 
P.,  768  and  note. 

1338.     Of  710)1  cstat   qualifies    ;«««,    to   be    understood    from 


236  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIQHTES    TALE. 

1340.  mosie  and  leste  =  greatest  and  least ;  highest  and  lowest 
We  generally  use  more  and  mo^t  distributivelj. 

1341.  paleys  =  palace.  ''  A  palace  is  now  the  abode  of  a  royal 
family;  but  if  we  look  at  the  history  of  the  name,  we  are  soon 
carried  back  to  the  shepherds  of  the  Seven  Hills.  There,  on  the 
Tiber,  one  of  the  seven  hills  was  called  the  Collis  Palatinus^  and 
the  hill  was  called  Palattfius,  from  Pales,  a  pastoral  deity  whose 
festival  was  celebrated  every  year  on  the  21st  of  April,  as  the 
birth-day  of  Rome.  It  was  to  commemorate  the  day  on  which 
Romulus,  the  wolf-child,  was  supposed  to  have  drawn  the  first 
furrow  on  the  foot  of  that  hill,  and  thus  to  have  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  the  most  ancient  part  of  Rome,  the  Roma  ^uadyata. 
On  this  hill  the  Collis  Palatinus  stood ;  in  later  times,  the 
houses  of  Cicero,  and  of  his  neighbor  and  enemy  Cataline. 
Augustus  built  his  mansion  on  the  same  hill,  and  his  example 
was  followed  by  Tiberius  and  Nero.  Under  Nero  all  private 
houses  had  to  be  pulled  down  on  the  Collis  Palati?iHs,  to  make 
room  for  the  Emperor's  residence,  the  Domus  Aurea,  as  it  was 
called,  the  Golden  House.  This  house  of  Nero's  was  henceforth 
called  the  Palatinus,  and  it  became  the  type  of  all  the  palaces 
of  the  kings  and  emperors  of  Europe."  M.  Miiller,  Sc.  of  Lang, 
ii.  267. 

1343.  ^e«=  might  be,  were. 

best  daunsynge  ^==he^t  at  dancing.  The  retention  of  final  « 
indicates  an  inflection;  the  construction  in  A.S.  would  be  a 
genitive,  limiting  the  scope  of  the  adjective.  We  are  obliged  to 
supply  the  loss  of  inflection  with  a  preposition  having  the  same 
force. 

1344.  daunce  —  singe,  infinitives. 

^345-  felyngly^=\x\  a  manner  indicating  the  possession  of  the 
feeling.  The  word  means,  actively,  touchingly;  passively,  in  a 
manner  indicating  sensibility. 

1351.    T/ie  So}iday  night.     The  feast  lasted  all  day  Sunday. 

To  sprynge=^\.o  dawn;  cf.  "The  day  spring  from  on  high." 
Luke  i.  78. 

1353.   nere  nought  =  Jie  zvere  nought  ^=^nq.x&  not. 

1355-  ^^oly  here  refers  not  so  much  to  state  as  to  temporary 
purpose. 

1359.  hire  hour^^hev  hour.  The  hours  of  the  day  and  night 
were  allotted  to  the  planets  according  to  the  following  rule  : 
The  first  hour  of  each   day  belongs   to   the  planet  for  which  the 


NOTES    TO    THE  KXIGETES    TALE.  237 

day  is  named;  then  the  succeeding  hours  to  the  planets  in  the 
following  order:  Saturn.  Jupiter,  Mars,  Sol,  Venus,  Mercury, 
Luna.  The  twenty- third  hour  of  Sunday  (reckoning  froin  dawn) 
would  therefore  belong  to  Venus. 

1363.  lady  myn  =  lady  of  me.  Myn  is  genitive,  not  pos- 
sessive. 

1365.  g-ladere  ^=  one  who  makes  glad. 

1366.  Adeoicn  =  Adonis. 

1367.  Have  pile  of=^  have  pity  (on  me)  because  of.  Pity  is 
here  followed  by  a  gen.  of  source. 

1370.    Thefcctes  =  the  forces,  the  power. 

1373.  ;w^;'cy  =  grant  mercy. 

1374.  "'^^c«^>^/=  anxiety,  melancholy.  So  used  in  the  Bible 
and  in  Shakspeare.  *'  Take  no  thought  for  the  morrow."  Matt, 
vi.  25.  "Take  thought  and  die  for  Caesar."  J.  C.  ii.  i.  The 
verb  to  think  is  also  used  in  the  same  meanings. 

"i-Z*!! ''^■~.^2!}foxih  =  to  the  extent  of,  according  to ;  literally, 
even  forth.     Em  in  composition  denotes  even,  equal. 

1379.  50  =  provided  that,  if  so  be  that.  Sometimes  that  fol- 
lows as  used  in  this  sense. 

i^So.^yg/^g  =  boast.  The  meanings  are:  (i)  to  cry  like  a 
dog,  (2)  to  talk  loudly,  (3)  to  boast. 

1381.    Scan  :  N'  I  n'  aske  |  nat  to  |  morwe  [  to  have  |  victorie. 

1383.  ^;V5  =  victory  in  arms. 

blow  en ;  i.e.,  by  the  trump  of  fame  ;  by  the  heralds  announc- 
ing the  victor. 

1386.  ho-M  =  in  what  way. 

1387.  but  it  may  better  (^c  =  unless  it  may  be  better.  "I  care 
not  whether  I  win  the  victory  or  he,  unless  as  one  or  the  other 
may  be  better  for  my  suit." 

1390.  though  so  ^e  =  though  it  so  be;  in  which  case  it  refers 
to  the  sentence,  "  Mars  is  god  of  armes." 

1407.  Scan  :  But  at  |  te  laste  |  the  stat  |  u  of  Ve  |  nus  schook. 

140S.  iooy^  =  conjectured,  deduced.  Still  used  thus  in  collo- 
quial language.  '' You  take  me  right."  Bacon.  There  seems 
to  be  a  connection  between  the  words  take  and  teach, — A.S. 
tacan,  taecan,  Gr.  6exo/mi,  deiKvvut,  —  so  that  this  colloquial  use 
may  be  only  a  relic  of  a  former  well-recognized  meaning. 

1412.  we;z/«  =  turned  :  pret.  of  tvende.  Cf.  "  To  wend  one's 
way." 

1413.  thridde  hour  that  =  the  third  hour  after  that;    i.e.,  the 


238  NOTES    TO   THE   KNIGHTES   TALE, 

first  hour  of  Monday,  and  hence  sacred  to  Diana  or  Luna.     See 
note,  \.  1359. 

■\niej^uaL  "  In  the  astrological  system,  the  day  (from  sunrise 
to  sunset)  and  the  night  (from  sunset  to  sunrise)  being  each 
divided  into  twelve  hours,  it  is  plain  that  the  hours  of  the  day 
and  night  were  never  equal,  except  just  at  the  equinoxes.  The 
hours  attributed  to  the  planets  were  of  this  unequal  sort."  T. 
By  the  use  of  this  term  Chaucer  calls  attention  to  the  astrological 
hour,  and  indicates,  without  saying  so,  that  this  hour  was  sacred 
to  Diana. 

1418.  Ful  redily^=  all  ready  for  use. 

1420.  longen  schal=^  ought  to  belong,  properly  belong.  Schal 
is  here  used  in  its  original  sense  of  obligation. 

1421.  //or«<?5  =  drinking  horns.  The  fact  that  drinking  cups 
were  originally  made  out  of  horns,  so  that  thej^  could  not  be  put 
down  unless  emptied,  is  preserved  in  the  colloquial  use  of  the 
word,  to  denote  a  drink. 

1423.  Smokyng  the  temple  =  while  the  temple  was  smoking 
(with  the  incense).     An  imitation  of  the  A.S.  dative  absolute. 

1425.  tce//c:^  spring.  We  speak  of  the  "  welling  up"  of  water. 
Hence  a  source^  as  Chaucer  is  called  "  a  well  of  English  unde- 
filed ;  "  finally  its  meaning  has  become  restricted  to  the  most 
common  source  of  obtaining  water,  —  a  pit  sunk  into  the  ground. 

1427.   "Except  it  be  something  in  general  terms." 

1429.  Cf.   "To  the  pure  all  things  are  pure." 

1430.  "It  is  good  that  a  man  be  free;"  that  is,  from  the 
temptation  hinted  at  in  the  preceding  line.  It  refers  to  the 
infinitive  phrase. 

1434.  Tiio  fyres.  — one  for  each  of  her  lovers. 

1435.  ////V/^c,'«  =  important  duties.  "The  primitive  meaning 
seems  to  be  discourse,  then  solemn  discussion,  judicial  consider- 
ation, council,  court  of  justice,  lawsuit,  cause,  sake,  matter,  or 
subject  of  discourse."  Wedgwood.  Hence,  also,  any  matter  of 
importance. 

1444.  yl5=  namely.  ^^5  =  all-so, — all  merely  emphasizing 
so:  its  precise  force  here  is  "  so  by  all  means." 

1445.  aboughte  ^^^Vi'S.tx^di  for,  paid  for;  y^rtt.  oi  ahye.  The 
original  sense  is  to  buy,  with  the  stress  laid  upon  the  price  paid, 
rather  than  on  the  fact  of  purchase. 

1446.  Scan  :  Chaste  |  goddess  ]  e  wel  |  wost  thou  |  that  I. 
1454.  ye  may  and  kan  =  ye  are  able  and  know  how  to. 


NOTES    TO   TEE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  239 

1455.  t/ire  formes,  alluding  to  the  fabled  three  forms  of  Diana, 
• — on  earth  Diana,  in  heaven  Luna,  in  hell  Proserpina, — 
denoting  the  three  marked  forms  of  the  moon,  full,  horned,  and 
dark. 

145S.  witJiouten  more  =  without  asking  anj  thing  further. 

1467.  As  —  in  that  case. 

147 1,  maydeiihode  =  maidenhood.  The  termination  hood 
{A.S.  /lad)  denotes  state,  condition;  it  is  sometimes  written 
head;  e.g.,  godhead, 

1477.  quyked^^ji:&\\\Q.di.  "And  jou  hath  he  quickened." 
Eph.  ii.  I. 

1450.  his  =  its.  Its  is  not  found  in  Chaucer,  nor  did  it  come 
into  use  until  more  than  two  hundred  years  later.  Tlie  neuter 
pronoun  was  original!}'  hit^  of  which  the  genitive  was  his. 

1451.  out-ran  =  ran  out.  When  a  preposition  is  compounded 
with  a  verb,  and  the  proper  force  of  both  is  retained,  we  place 
the  preposition  after  the  verb;  but  if  the  sense  of  either  is  modi- 
fied by  the  composition,  the  preposition  is  placed  first,  and  the 
two  words  coalesce.     Out-run  now  means  to  surpass  in  running. 

1452.  many  oon  =  many  a  one.     See  note,  P.  168. 
1484.  and gan  to  crie,  —  a  fine  touch  of  nature. 
1495.  7nay  7iat  =  am  not  able,  cannot. 

1502.   7nade  a  va?iysschynge  =  \Q.n\^h&d;    cf.   "And  the  wynd 

ceeside,  and  greet  pesiblenesse  is  maad."     Mark  iv.  39  (Wiclif ). 

1504.  aynounteth  =  to  what  does  this  amount.'* 

1507.  nexte  =  nearest.    JVext  is  the  regular  superlative  of  neah, 

near;  but  we,  having  lost  its  connection  with  near,  have  formed 

a  new  superlative. 

1509.  The  nexte  houre  of  Mars  would  be  the  fourth  hour  of 
the  day.     See  note,  1.  1359. 

1510.  ivalked  is  ^  has  walked. 

1^12.  _payen  w/5^  =  pagan  custom.  Pagan,  Lat.  paganus, 
a  villager,  has  reached  its  modern  meaning  thus  :  (i)  villager, 
(2)  heathen  villager,  (3)  heathen.     See  note  P.,  70. 

1518.  "  Hast  complete  control  of  the  issue  of  all  contests  in 
arms." 

1519.  as  the  lust  devyse  =  as  it  pleases  thee  to  ordain. 

1523.  godhede  =  godhead.  The  termination  hood,  head,  de- 
notes stj,te  or  officcj  and  is  thus  adapted  to  the  euphemism  of 
using  the  abstract  for  the  concrete  noun. 

thai  =  so  that,  to  that  degree  that. 


240  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIQETES   TALE. 

1537.  lyves  =  alive,  living,  —  an  adverb  formed  from  the  gen- 
itive, like  needes,  thankcs. 

1538.  doth  —  endure  =  causes  me  to  endure. 

1539.  vjhcr  I  synke  or  Jleete  =  whether  I  may  sink  or  float. 
These  verbs  are  subjunctive. 

1546.  "  As  severely  as  this  fire  now  burneth  me."  Tyrwhitt 
reads  :  "  as  wel  as  that  this  fyr,"  &c. 

1548.  travaile  =  labor,  toil.  Travel  is  another  orthography 
of  the  same  word.  It  originally  denoted  any  uncommon  or 
painful  effort,  and  before  the  modern  conveniences  was  not 
inaptly  used  to  denote  making  a  journey.  In  like  manner  the 
German  Arbeit  has  passed  from  labor  to  travel. 

1551.  In  thy plesaiuice  =  in  that  which  affords  thee  pleasure; 
i.e.,  war. 

1552.  I  ivol  my  baiter  honge ;  i.e.,  as  a  trophy:  cf.  "Our 
bruised  arms  hung  up  for  monuments."     Rich.  III.  i.  i. 

1557.  berd.  Among  the  ancients,  particularly  the  Eastern 
nations,  the  beard  was  held  sacred  as  a  pledge  of  manhood. 
Consecrating  the  beard  was  therefore  a  consecration  of  his 
manhood. 

1559.  sckere  =  shears,  —  now  used  only  in  the  plural. 

1563.    The  ^reyere  stynte,  —  the  absolute  construction. 

1566.   "At  which  Arcita  was  somewhat  terrified." 

Oftvhich,  genitive  of  the  source  of  the  feeling. 

Hy?n  ag-aste,  —  an  imitation  of  the  French  idiom,  —  forming 
a  sort  of  middle  voice. 

1573-  bigan  his  hauberk  rynge  =  rattled  his  armor  in  token 
of  assent. 

1575.  dym  =  indistinct.  Properly  applied  to  objects  of  sight; 
dumb  is,  however,  allied,  and  denotes  rather  inarticulate  sounds 
than  total  inability  to  speak.  Wedgwood  allies  dim  to  dam^ 
with  the  original  signification  to  stop. 

"  He  herde  a  vols  which  criede  dimme." 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  ii.  293. 

1577.  vjel  to  fare  =  to  succeed,  to  fare  well. 

1579.  "  -^s  glad  (at  his  success)  as  is  the  bird  of  the  bright  sun.*? 

1585.  pale  Sattcrnus  the  colde,  —  alluding  to  the  supposed 
astrological  influence  of  the  planet,  which  idea  we  have  retained 
in  the  adjective  saturnine^  gloomy,  stern.  For  further  remnants 
of  these  astrological  ideas,  cf.  jovial.,  from  Jupiter;  mercurial^ 
from  Mercury;   martial.,  from  Mars,  (&c.  "' 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGUTES   TALE.  241 

1586.  Saturn  was  fabled  to  be  the  oldest  god. 

Ma?iye  of  avejitures.  We  saj  "many  adventures," — as  also 
"  a  thousand  men,"  in  which  case  the  singular  article  shows  that 
men  is  used  in  the  genitive  =  of  men. 

1591.   "  One  may  outrun  the  old,  but  not  outwit  them." 

1593.  Al-be-it  =  although. 

kynde  =  nature.  '•  For  kindnesse  [i.e.,  feeling  of  kinship] 
he  wept  ful  tenderly."  K.  Arthur  iii.  221.  In  O.E.  unkind  ^= 
unnatural.  "The  kindly  fruits  of  the  earth."  The  idea  of  rela- 
tionship or  community  of  nature  underlies  all  these  words. 

1596.  In  the  time  of  Chaucer,  Saturn  was  the  outermost  of 
the  known  planets,  and  thus  had  the  -widest  orbit. 

1597.  The  following  lines  specify  the  astrological  influences 
of  this  malign  planet. 

1598.  drenchyng  ^  drowning.  Many  intransitive  verbs  be- 
come transitive  in  A.S.  bv  a  change  of  the  vowel.  We  have 
retained  a  few,  as  sit,  set ;  lie,  lay:  drench  is  from  drcncan,  the 
causative  form  of  drincan,  to  drink;  so  ihencan,  to  think,  from 
thincan,  to  seem. 

1599.  prisoun  in  the  derke  cote  =  imprisonment  in  the  dark 
cell;  i.e.,  as  a  lunatic.  See  Burton  Anat.  Mel.,  pt.  i,  sec.  2, 
memb.  i,  subs.  4. 

1600.  strangle  =  choking.  "  Our  Saxon  ancestors  compelled 
the  adulteress  to  strangle  herself."  Morris's  Gloss,  refers  the 
definition  strongly  to  this  line,  — probably  a  misprint. 

1601.  7«?/r;;z«re  =  murmuring;  i.e.,  the  complaint  preceding 
a  rebellion. 

cherles  =  Q\\\xr\%.  A.S.  c^(?r/,  a  man.  We  similarly  use  the 
word  men,  to  denote  laborers  or  servants ;  cf.  "  Like  master, 
like  man." 

1602.  groyriing  ==_%X?iQh\ng  (Morris)  as  though  from  the  noun 
groin,  a  point.  Tyrwhitt  explains,  "  to  hang  the  lip  in  dis- 
content." 

1603.  f>leyn  correctioun  =  full  punishment. 

1604.  signe  of  the  lyoiin  =  the  constellation  Leo. 

1609.  maladies  colde  =  deadly  distempers. 

1610.  castes  olde  =  old  contrivances;  contrivances  of  old, — 
long  in  use,  thus  proving  their  efficiency. 

161 1.  Myn  loky?ig^=xny  look. 
1618.    7"//<7/^  which  fact. 

1629.  Hit=i\..     The  third   personal   pronoun    in   A.S.   was 

16 


242  NOTES    TO   THE  KNIQHTES   TALE. 

he,  heOi  hit,  pi.  ht ;  the  gen.  his,  hire,  hz's.  In  the  course  of  time 
the  h  dropped,  and  an  anomalous  gen.  its  was  formed. 

Venus,  possessive  case. 

1630.  by  the  ca?(f5e  =  because. 

5c^«/<^t'  =  must.  The  pret.  implies  an  engagement  already 
made. 

1632.   at  night  =^  as  soon  as  it  was  night. 

1640.  brozvdyng=-Qvo}oxo\(\Q.xy.  From  braid^  hence  worked 
with  braid. 

1642.    Go/<f-<5^/'c;z  =  ornamented  with  gold. 

1646.  G/^^'«^=  making  ready;  literally,  rapidly  moving. 
Morris  explains  as  clattering.  Tyrwhitt  reads  grinding,  rub- 
bing. The  interpretation  given  above,  if  tenable,  comports 
better  with  the  rest  of  the  passage.  The  word  gig  in  E.E.  was 
used  to  denote  any  rapid  motion,  or  a  motion  to  and  fro,  as  the 
vehicle  so  named  from  the  motion  communicated  to  the  rider. 

"That  for  the  swough  and  for  the  twigges 
This  house  was  also  full  of  gigges."     H.  of  F.  iii.  852. 
Cf.  Ger.   Gcige,  a  fiddle. 

1647.  Ther  as  need  /5=  about  what  was  necessary. 

1652.  .<</rtz;'<?5=  staffs,  bludgeons.  We  distinguish  between  the 
two  plurals, — staffs  being  the  pi.  of  staff,  and  staves  denoting 
weapons. 

thikke  refers  to  comrmines. 

1654.  bloody  soivnes,  sounds  inciting  to  bloody  deeds. 

1655.  ^c^/f?5  =  groups  of  people. 

1656.  holdyng  here  questioun  =  holding  their  discussion. 

1659.  him  ~i.vith  the  blake  berd ;  i.e.,  "  Ligurge  himself,  the 
grete  kyng  of  Trace,"  1.  1271,  1272. 

1660.  the  balled=^  the,  light  hairej;  i.e.,  Emetrius,  ''  the  king 
of  Ynde,"  1.  1307,  1308. 

the  thikke  herd  :=  the  thick  haired;  i.e.,  Arcite ;  cf.  "  myn 
heer  that  hangeth  longe  adoun,"  1.  1557-59. 

ft 

1661.  he  lokede  grym  ;  i.e.,  Palamon. 
1665.  of  his  sleep  ^=o\\t  of  his  sleep. 
aivaked,  Tja-whitt  reads  "is  waked." 
1675.  made  an  hoo  ==  cried  oyez,  hear  ye. 
1678.   dukes  =  duke's,  gen.  sing. 

1685.  up  peyne  =  upon  pain  or  penalty. 

1657.  sende,  subj.  used  for  iinperative. 

i688.  with  point  bytyjtge  =  with  sharp  point,  as  in  battle. 


NOTES    TO   THE  KNIGHTES    TALE.  243 

1691.  But  one  course  with  a  deadly  weapon  was  allowed  on 
horseback.     See  1.  174S. 

1692.  "Let  him  fence  on  foot,  if  it  please  him,  to  defend 
himself." 

1693.  at  mesc/iief^  uniovtuniiiQ,  \n  the  combat. 

1696.  ke  schal=  but  thither  shall  he  be  taken. 

1697.  if  so  fallen  \i  it  may  so  happen. 
1700.  ley  on.     Properly  a  compound. 

1707.    Up  g07i  =  begin  to  sound,  —  a  compound. 

1715.  oou  and  ot/ier=  one  and  another. 

1717.  dy  tyme  =  hetimes,  in  due  season. 

1723.  west-ward  —  under  Marte  =  from  the  west,  under  the 
temple  of  Mars.  See  1.  1049.  "And  clipyd  hym  taylard."  R.  Coeur 
de  L.  724. 

1727.  Is  under  Vemis  est'Zvard^=^  Under  the  temple  of  Venus 
from  the  east  has  entered. 

1733.  «;/y  =  either  one.     So  A.S.  ae«/^=  any  one. 

1735.   So  evenly  had  they  been  chosen,  as  one  would  suppose. 

1738.  "  That  there  might  be  no  deceit  in  the  number." 

1739.  cried  was.     The  next  line  is  the  subject. 

1747.  Observe  the  alliteration  in  the  lines  following,  —  the 
spirit  of  the  old  Saxon  overmastering  the  culture  of  the  courtier. 

1748.  //d  =  one.  He  —  ^e=:one — another.  See  below  used 
as  a  demonstrative. 

Herte-spoji^=  n?i\e\.  "Spoon"  in  Yorkshire  denotes  the 
navel. 

1749.  up  springen.  Observe  the  emphatic  position  of  the 
prepositions;   so,  out goo7i,  out  bresi.     These  are  all  compounds. 

yijc»^=gen.  pi.  of  feet.  A.S.  fota.  The  common  idiom  of 
using  this  form  with  numerals  indicates  the  persistence  with 
which  the  coinmon  speech  clings  to  the  old  forms. 

1751.  to-kezven  and  to-schrede.  To  in  composition,  has  an 
intensive  force. 

1754.  He — ^g  =  one  —  another:  this  one  —  that  one. 

1758    "And  one  hurls  another  with  his  horse  adown." 

1762.  "Another  is  brought  (to  the  stake)  from  the  other 
side." 

1763.  doth  hem  =  causes  them. 

1767.  "  Each  has  unhorsed  the  other  of  them  two."  Other  in 
E.E.  is  generally  used  without  the  article. 

1779.  the  r<?5/e  =  his  rest.  So  in  Greek  the  article  is  used  for 
the  possessive. 


244  yOTES   TO   THE  KXIGETES   TALE. 

17"      J  ==  seized. 

17^7-  j^r  ju  JL.:  ,    *:5  =  in  spite  of  his  strength. 

17S9.  So  =  in  i^ -  -  -er,  so  hard. 

1799.  t^'^'^  =  P-~'.  ^ "'  the  suit  =  partfa!. 

1S02.  Amooiu,  ^Suc,  =^  _:i_z.  _  r.oise  i>  be^n  bv  i:i±  z-.'.z  .=z. 

Of  tie  f>e«rple  ;  gen.  of  source. 

1809.  aschur:  1  =  7  _:  td  shame. 

iSiol  1W<i/  '       =  ^-7      iiuet:    lefirain  frotn  saijii^  aaj 

thing;  cf.  "K,  r    =  : ;  'rom  violent  action. 

iSi6w  herkmetk  mtez   -v.  :  e  "  is  the  aoc  erf"  dire:: 

object,  and  *^  me  "  is  dative 

iSiS.  Of — ^daam  =  f :  z :  1 ;    i.e.  _~  So    also   <2^«  = 

do- on. 

1S22.    -^--  -  ^:'-  =  r:— iris  h:ni. 

1525.  *' And  she  was  wholly  his  -  /-  ;:  :er  -:"  e 
was  his  in  her  heart; "  Le-,  she  did  7  -  : 
express^  them  bj  her  jojfial  cot  t 
construed  as  in  the  dative,  and  her  «-_         -  -  T 

•*  And  was  all  his  in  cheie  as  his  in  . .  —  :  _ : 

abetter  reading. 

1526.  fyr  =  fire.  T  vrwhitt  Tssud&fmry,  which  is  imdouliiBdly 
cofrect. 

1S2S.  Fitr  -z^kicl  =1:  ~hich:  before  which. 

iSjol  *•  And  beibre  A  was  able  to  recover  him." 

1SJ3.  to-kr*siem,  —  :  'rll  upon  him  and  the  profecting 

saddle-bow  crashed  ~ 

iS|Ol  im  mewm^ry  £nj  .  »  .  >'^-:  =  i^  .riii^  ~f  ~  ~es  and  aliv& 

Chancer  uses  infy^e^  alir^  s '  ^  '  ' 

1S45.  **  Although  this  aod  -  -  "^  -  " 

1&I7.  «c4«/ is  here  used  pec.  J .     I:  .: 

he  will  not  die,  because,  from  tiie  cira:::  - :   -    r  -  —  ..  -        _  ;  _  .  7 

won  his  ladv  —  he  onght  not  to  lose  the 

1551.  Al  srere  :  'r :  ,  =  although  thev        :  7 
amd  m^tmdy  ^m-  =       i  one  especiallv. 

1552.  T: :.-  —  =  r  iKeastfaoiie. 

1853*  ^*'  ^^  -'-'-  ■   -'-    —'-'■    •- -' 

1S55.  i«-^  =  ^2re.  —  : :. -7    •'     *"-'-"-=    ren:efj.    as   its    L;-."3 


NOTES    TO    THE   KXIGHTES    TALE.  245 

1S61  '-But  there  was  held  to  be  no  defeat  (as  in  battle)  but 
as  in  a  (friendly)  joust  or  tournament;  for,  indeed,  there  was  no 
defeat." 

1S67.    O persone  allone  =  one  person  by  himself. 
••  Bat  for  he  may  nought  all  him  one 
In  sondry  places  do  justice." 

Gower,  Con,  Am.  iii.  17S. 
1S4S.  ^«7r/Vf/ =  roughly  dragged.     The  origin    seems    to   be 
shown  in  Fr.  harer.  to  set  on  a  dog. 

1572.  co-vardye  =  cowardice.  Wedgwood  refers  to  Fr.  couard 
from  Lat.  cauda.  tail :  hence,  one  who  turns  tail.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  from  covjer,  to  hide.  Ger,  kauern ;  cf.  '"cowans  and 
evedroppers."' 

'•Thanne  cometh  ther  a  cougioun  with  a  grey  cote 
As  not  of  his  nolle,  as  he  the  nest  made. 
Another  proud  partriche,  and  precyth  to  the  nest, 
And  prevyh'che  pirith,  till  the  dame  passe. 

And  leveth  the  lurker  that  hem  er  ladde," 

Dep.  Ric.  ii.  16.  10. 

1573.  /^^^  cr/V  =  ordered  (the  heralds)  to  cry:  let  strictly  = 
permit;   here  used  by  euphemism. 

1875.  The  gree  =  tlie  prize  (to  be)  as  well  of  one  party  as  of 
the  other. 

1S7S.  J'lilly  modifies  three. 

1S79.  " -^"^nd  honorably  accompanied  the  kings  fully  a  day's 
journey  out  of  his  town.      Worthily  =  for  the  sake  of  honor. 

iSSi.  the  righte  -vay  —  by  the  straight  road. 

18S2.  have  good  day  ^^TS\2iy  you  have  good  day.  Abbreviated 
into  ••  good-day." 

1892.  For  thilke  vertti,  &c.,  by  aid  of  that  virtue.  "The 
expulsive  or  animal  virtue  (power)  cannot,  for  want  of  the  aid 
of  the  natural  power,  expel  or  void  the  venom;  "  that  is,  neither 
bv  the  aid  of  medicines  nor  by  the  force  of  nature  can  he  free 
himself  of  the  poison. 

1S97.  '•  Neither  is  vomit  nor  laxative  of  any  avail  to  him." 

1902.  to  chirche :  i.e..  to  his  funeral. 

1903.  This  al  and  sam  =  this  is  the  end  of  the  matter. 

1904.  For  tahich  =  for  which  reason,  wherefore. 
1920.  A^ow  —  now  =  at  one  moment  —  at  the  next. 

1928.  "And  may  Jupiter  guide  my  soul  so  truly  to  speak." 


246 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGETES   TALE. 


1933.  ar^=  the  art  or  profession  of  knighthood. 

1934.  "  So  may  Jupiter  take  the  part  of  my  soul;  "  i.e.,  favor 
me. 

1945.  "The  intellect  that  dwelt  in  his  sick  and  sore  heart 
failed  without  any  delay,  only  when  the  heart  felt  death;  "  that 
is,  his  affection  for  Emily  ceased  only  with  death. 

1952.  cam  nevere,  supply  thence^  as  indicated  by  ther  = 
thither. 

1954.  registre  =  rezoxdi\  i.e.,  the  "  olde  stories." 

1955.  "Nor  does  it  please  me  to  tell  the  opinions  of  others, 
though  they  may  write  where  they  dwelle,"  —  alluding  to  Boc- 
caccio, who,  in  his  version  of  the  tale,  conveys  Arcite's  soul  to 
heaven.  I 

1956.  ^c;«==them,  those  persons,  others. 

1957.  //Jcr  =  therefore,  may  Mars  take  charge  of  his  soul. 
"  O  that  Mars  would."  Morris.  Tyrwhitt  thinks  that  ther  has  a 
peculiar  force  in  this  passage.  Ther  is  here  equivalent  to  for 
this,  being  the  dative.     So  also  Merch.  Tale,  31. 

"This  sentence  and  a  hundred  thinges  worse 
Writeth  this  man,  ther  God  his  bones  curse." 

7'^^;' is  here  plainly  equivalent  to  for  this ;  therefore,  in  the 
line  under  consideration,  ther  refers  to  what  immediately  pre- 
cedes, —  "  Arcite  is  cold."  ^ 

1962.  to  taryen  forth  the  day  =  to  stop  for  the  rest  of  the  day. 
forth  after  a  verb  of  motion  indicates  direction  or  limit. 

1966.  For  the  more  fart  =  generally.  Grief  must  either  find 
vent  in  lamentation  or  else  they  die. 

1977.  "  Why  wouldst  thou  die,  when  thou  hadst  gold  enough 
and  Emily  .?"  —  a  beautiful  touch  of  nature. 

1982.  torjien,  infinitive,  after  seen. 

1984.  likefzesse,  similar  instances.  To  be  construed  as  a 
collective  noun,  as  though  from  the  French  like  richesse. 

1992.  And  over  al  this  =  and  besides  this. 

1999.  he  took  conclusioun  =  he  reached  the  conclusion. 

2000.  That  ther  as  =  that  there  where. 
2003.   he  hadde^=  he  had  had,  had  suffered. 

2007.  hakke  and  hewe  =  cut  down  and  cut  up.  These  two 
words  are  nearly  synonymous,  in  accordance  with  the  tendency 
of  the  language  to  strengthen  an  expression  by  duplicating 
similar  words;  cf.  "time  and  tide." 

2009.  ivel  arrayed  =  well  arranged. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  247 

2010.  they,  redundant. 

2015.  the  same  sute\  i.e.,  of  the  cloth  of  gold. 

2019.  bare  the  visage,  absolute  construction  in  imitation  of 
the  A.S.  dative  absolute. 

2020.  ptte  =  pity.  The  use  of  nouns  for  adjectives  in  such 
cases  must  be  explained  by  an  ellipsis  ;  e.g.,  it  occasioned  pitj  to 
hear. 

2021.  people  —  «//(?=  all  the  people,  the  people  altogether- 
Cf.  "  In  many  things  we  offend  all ;  "  i.e.,  we  all  offend. 

2023.    Thai  roreth  of^^  that  resoundeth  with,  &c. 

2027.  "  And  Emily  surpassing  others  in  weeping." 

2029.  I7i  as  moche  =  in  order  that  the  service  might  be. 

2046.  The  street  was  spread  with  black,  and  the  buildings  on 
either  side  were  hung  with  the  same. 

2053.  With  fyr  itt  hond.  It  was  the  custom  for  the  nearest 
friend  to  light  the  funeral  pile.     See  1.  2083. 

3055.  "  Severe  labor  and  very  great  preparation  was  put 
forth  at  the  funeral  service  and  the  making  of  the  funeral 
pyre." 

2057.  That  —  7^/5  =  whose;  refers  \.o  fyr  \s\\.\i  the  meaning 
funeral  pile. 

2066.  for  me  —  so  far  as  I  am  concerned. 

2069.  vjoneden  =  used  to  dwell. 

..."  the  wild  beast,  where  he  wons 

In  forest  wild."  Par.  L.  vii.  457. 

2076.  a  three  =  in  three  parts;  i.e.,  finely  split;  cf.  in  two. 

20S0.  al  so  —  the  uncontracted  form,  of  as,  —  '"the  incense 
with  as  strong  an  odor  as  myrrh." 

2087.  jc-wels.  From  the  same  root  as  joy  (Lat.  gaiiditan), 
hence  denoting  what  occasion  or  indicate  joy.  The  putting  off 
of  jewels  was  a  sign  of  mourning. 

20S9.  summe  =  some,  plural,  of  som,  one. 

2090.  were  =  wore.  A.S.  iverian  is  regular;  this  is  one  of 
the  few  instances  in  which  we  have,  because  of  analogy,  changed 
a  weak  into  a  strong  verb. 

2095.  Keeping  the  fire  on  the  left  hand. 

2100.  liche-xvake  =  \.\\Q  watch  (wake)  held  over  the  remains 
of  the  dead.     This  custom  is  very  ancient. 

2102.  -rt'rt'/^^-//(?ye5  =  games  plaved  while  watching  the  re- 
mains of  the  dead, —funeral  games.  The  custom  of  making 
this  an  occasion  of  merriment  is  not  entirely  obsolete. 


248  NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES    TALE. 

2104.  t'ji  no  disjoint  =  with  no  disadvantage. 

2107.  "But  I  will  come  from  this  point  i^then')  briefly  to  the 
conclusion." 

2109.  of  certeyn  yeres  =  by  lapse  and  length  of  time. 

21 13.  poynt ;  cf.  "speak  to  the  point." 

cas  =  a  circumstance.  Circumstances  had  brought  up  a  cer- 
tain point  for  discussion;  in  the  discussion  that  ensued,  the 
matter  of  alliance  with  other  nations — and  particularly  the  rela- 
tions of  Thebes,  which  state  Theseus  proposed  more  closely  to 
attach  to  Athens  by  intermarriage  —  was  brought  up  for  con- 
sideration. 

2119.  Untvist  of  him  —  he  being  ignorant:  absolute  con- 
struction. 

2121.  in  hye  =  in  haste,  hastily. 

2126.  "He  fixed  his  eyes  where  it  was  his  pleasure  to  fix 
them,"  —  probably  on  his  sister. 

2131.  theffect  =  the  thing  to  be  accomplished.  We  find  this 
word  used  in  two  senses  :  ist,  that  which  is  to  be  done  :  2d,  that 
which  has  been  done. 

2141.  "Although  they  may  nevertheless  easily  abridge  these 
days." 

2142.  "I  need  not  cite  anthorities,  for  it  is  proven  by  experi- 
ence, except  that  it  pleases  me  to  declare  my  conclusion." 

2147.  it  be  a  fool  =  he  be  a  fool.  It  is  neuter  to  agree  with 
fool. 

2155.  spices  =  species.  "The  spices  of  penaunce  ben  three." 
Persones  Tale. 

2157.  lye  =  destruction.  Fate.  A.S.  Ic^,  or  lae^.  Tyrwhitt 
reads  "withouten  any  lie," —  an  inferior  reading. 

215S.  sen  at  eye  =  see  at  once. 

2164.  £-oon  =  walk.  Go  in  E.E.  means  to  walk,  as  to  ride 
usually  means  to  ride  on  horseback. 

"And  some  gone  and  some  ride. 
And  some  prick  here  horse  aside." 

Gower,  Con.  Am.  i.  no. 

2165.  />5/5 /^/«^=  such  things  ;  plural. 

2170.  nedes  =  of  necessity.  Morris  reads  Jiedeth.  I  have 
adopted  Tyrwhitt  s  reading.  The  sense  is  :  we  also  see  plainly 
that,  in  regard  to  man  and  woman,  that  of  necessity  he  must 
die.     With  fiedeth,  we  must  read  :  "  that  it  must  be  that." 

2173.  So}?i  —  som  =  one  —  another. 


NOTES   TO   THE  KNIGHTES   TALE.  249 

2174.  larg-e  field ^='\n  the  open  country,  where  one  would 
apparently  be  the  safest. 

2175.  Thcr  heljbeth  naught  —  Nothing  is  of  any  avail. 
2177.    What  =  what  power,  who. 

2181.  here  agayns  =  against  this.     Here  is  dative. 

2155.  it  —  that  =  that  which  :   like  he  that  for  who. 

2156.  namelyche  that  =  especially  that  which. 
2199-    77/^?  rf;//r(7;'j'^  =  the  opposite  opinion. 

2207.  "  And  yet  they  are  not  able  to  amend  their  desires  that 
offend  both  his  spirit  and  themselves." 

2211.  of  al  his  grace  =  iov  all  his  kindness.  An  imitation 
of  the  A.S.  construction  of  dat.  and  gen.  with  verbs  of  granting, 
refusing,  and  thanking.     See  March,  §  297,  d. 

2215.  tvher  ^^  in  whom,  in  what  person.  Wher  is  here  used 
with  an  evident  consciousness  of  its  pronominal  force.  "And 
see  now  to  whom  is  most  sorrow  in  this  matter." 

2221.  Scan  :   and  ev'r'  |  hath  doon  j  &c. 

2225.  "  Let  I  ,  now  see  a  proof  of  your  womanly  pity."  Par- 
titive gen. 

2231.  "For  gentle  mercy  ought  to  surpass  mere  justice." 

2242.   Sejide  =  ma}^  God  send;  subj. 

Hath  it  deere  abought  =  hath  paid  dearly  for  it. 

2249.  "Thus  endeth  (the  story  of)  Palamon  and  Emelye." 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


GLOSSARIAL     INDEX. 


ABBREVIATIONS. 


A.S Anglo-Saxon. 

cf. compare. 

E.E Early  English. 

Fr F'rench. 

Gael Gaelic. 

Ger German. 

Goth Gothic. 

Gr Greek. 

imp imperative. 

K Ivuightes  Tale. 

A. 

A,  one,  P.  24.  A.S.  an,  Ger.  ein; 
indefinite  article  an,  a. 

A-  (prefix),  in,  on,  P.  822;  a-morwe, 
a-dat/,.K.  1765.     A.S.  an,  on. 

Abbot,  father.  Hebrew  abba, 
father,  —  a  title  given  in  the 
Syriac  churches  to  bishops. 

Abide,  Abiden  (pr.  abod,  abood; 
p.p.  abiden,  abyden),  to  await,  to 
wait,  K.  69,  2124.    A.'^.  abidan. 

Able,  capable.     Lat.  habilis. 

Abood,  delay  ( See  Abide),  K.  107. 

Aboughte  (pr.  of  abye),  suffered 
for,  paid  for,  K.  1445.  Aboughte 
treiveli/,  K.  1445;  deere  aboiir/ht, 
K.  2242,  paid  dearly  for.  Some- 
times corrupted  into  abide.  A.S. 
abicf/an. 

Aboute,  in  turn,  in  a  circle ;  cf. 
"round  about,"  K.  32. 

Aboven,  above.  O.E.  aboon,  A.S. 
abufan. 

Abregge,  to  abridge,  shorten,  K. 
2141.  Fr.  abreyer,  Lat.  abbrevi- 
are. 

Accomplice,  to  accomplish,  K. 
2006. 

Accordant,  according  to,  P.  37. 


Lat Latin. 

O.E Old  English. 

O.Fr Old  French. 

O.N Old  Norse. 

O.S Old  Saxon. 

P Prologue. 

pr preterite. 

p.p past  participle. 

W Welsh. 


Accorde,  Acord,  agreement,  de. 

cision,  P.  837. 
Accorde,  Acorde,  to  agree,  har- 
monize, please,  decide,  P.  244, 

830.     Lat.  ad-cor. 
Achate,   purchase,   P.    571.     Fr. 

acheter,     Lat.    acceptare,     Eng. 

cater. 
Achatour,  purchaser,  P.  568. 
Acquaintaunce,  Aqueyntaunce, 

one   known.      Lat.   ad-cognitus, 

Fr.  accointance. 
Adamauntz,  adamant,  probably 

steel,   K.   1132.     Diamond  is  a 

corruption  of  this  word. 
A-day,  by  day,  K.  1765.    A.S.  an. 
Adown,   downwards,  adown,   P. 

393,  K.  245.  A.S.  of-dune,  a-dun. 
Adrad,  afraid,  P.  605.     A.S.  on- 

dniedan.     See  A,  prefix. 
Afered,  Aferd,  afraid,  P.  628,  K. 

660.     A.S.  afaeran,  to  terrify. 
Affyle,  to  file,  sharpen,  P.  712. 

Fr.  Jil,  thread,  an  edge. 
After,  according  to,  P.  347,  K. 

1877 ;  for,  P.  525 ;  afterwards, 

K.  1201.  Now  usually  restricted 

to  time  and  space. 
Agast,  terrified,  aghast,  K.  1483. 

Goth,  geisan,  to  terrify. 


254 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Agaste,  p.p.  of  agaze,  to  be  terri- 
fied, K.  1566. 

Agayn,  Agayns,  Ageyn,  Agens, 
again,  F.  801,  K.  3-1 ;  against, 
P.  66,  K.  929 ;  towards,  facing, 
K.  651.  A.S.  on-gean,  a-gen, 
gen  =  again.  Ger.  gegen.  Orig- 
inal force  that  of  opposition ; 
hence  also  addition  ;  cf  ge,  pre- 
fix, with  cumulative  ettect, 
ge-brothru. 

Ago,  Agon,  Agoo,  Agoon,  gone 
away,  gone  out,  agone,  K.  418, 
1478.  A.S.  agan,  gone,  agangan, 
to  go  from. 

Al,  wholly,  all,  P.  76,  150;  alto- 
gether, K.  226 ;  although,  K. 
1406  ;  al  he,  al  speke,  al  have,  &c., 
P.  297,  734;  K.  979 ;  very  (em- 
phatic), K.  183. 

Alauntz,  Alauns,  a  species  of  dog, 
K.  1290. 

Al  be,  although,  albeit,  P.  297. 
The  full  form  would  be  although 
it  may  be. 

Al  day,  every  day,  always,  K. 
310,  1618.     A.S.  ealle  daege. 

Alderman,  an  officer  in  a  city  next 
in  rank  to  the  mayor,  and  often 
charged  with  judicial  functions, 
P.  372.  A.S.  ealdor-man  =  Lat. 
senatov , 

Ale,  ale,"  P.  341,  832.  A.S.  eale, 
ealo,  from  a  root  signifying  to 
drink. 

Ale-stake,  a  stake  wreathed  with 
green  and  set  up  as  a  tavern- 
sign,  P.  667. 

Algate,  always,  P.  571.  A.S. 
geat  a  way ;  thus  =  always. 

Aiighte,  pr.  alighte,  p.p.  alight,  to 
ahght,  P.  722,  K.  125.  A.S. 
allhtan. 

AUe,  all  (plural),  K.  54. 

AUer,  Alther,  Alder,  of  all  (gen. 
pi.)  :  with  oure  =  of  us ;  Itcre  = 
of  them  ;  youre  =  of  you,  P. 
586,  799,  823. 

AUone,  Alone,  only,  alone  ;  0  per- 
sone  allone,  K.  552,  1867.  Prom 
alle-one.     Ger.  allein. 

Al-redy,  very  quickly,    K. 
A.S.  hrathe. 


183. 


Also,   Als,  as,   P.  780 ;    al-so,  al 

simply   emphasizing   so.     A.S. 

alswa,   contracted  also,  als,   as. 

Ger.  als.     The  Ormulum  gives 

all  all  swa.     See  As. 
Altherbest,  best  of  all,  P.    710. 

See  Alther. 
Although,  tl)ough    {al  emphatic 

prefix),  P.  230. 
Alway,  Alwey,  in  all  ways,  at  all 
'  times.     A.S.  ealle  ivega. 
Amblere,  an  ambling  or  pacing 

horse,  P.  469.     Fr.  ambler. 
Amonges,  amongst,  P.  759.    A.S. 

on  mang,  mengian,  to  mix;  Ger. 

mengen. 
Amorwe,  on  the  morrow,  P.  822, 

K.  763.     a  ^^  in,  on;  cf.  abed. 
Amounte,  to  signify,  to  amount 

to,  K.  1504.     Fr.  monter. 
Amyable,    pleasing,   lovable,   P. 

138.     Lat.  amahilis. 
Amyddes,  amidst,  in  the  middle ; 

a  =  in. 
And,  and  if,  K.  356.     Sometimes 

written  an,  an  if. 
Angwische,     anguish,     extreme 

grief.     Fr.  angoisse,  Lat.  angere, 

to  strangle  ;  cf.  anger,  so  termed 

from  its  choking  effect ;  cf  also 

Lat.  anguis,   serpent,  literally, 

the  choker. 
Anight,  at  night,  K.  184. 
Anlas,  a  knife  or  dagger  usually 

worn    at   the    girdle,    P.   357. 

"Low  Lat.  a«e/«c/its, either  from 

Lat.  anellus   or   anulus,  a   ring, 

from  one  fastened  to  the  belt 

by  which  it  was  carried,  or  from 

Old  High  Ger.  laz,  Lat.  latas, 

side."     Webster. 
Anon,  Anoon,  in  one  (moment), 

anon,  P.  32,424  ;an=in,o?i=one. 
Apayd,    satisfied,   pleased.      Fr. 

payer,  Lat.  pacare,  Eng.  pay. 
Ape,  fool  (metaphorical),  P.  706. 
Apiked,  adorned,  trimmed,  P.  365, 

—  a  neatness  denoted  by  pick- 
ing ofi^  particles. 
Apotecarie,   apothecary,   P.  425. 

Fr.  from  Gr. 
Appalled,  made  feeble,  K.  2195. 

So  pall  (as  to  pall  on  the  taste), 


QLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


255 


to  lose  energy,  —  not  connected 

with  pale. 
Apparailyng,    preparation.      Fr. 

appareiller,  Lat.  par,  hence   to 

join  like  to  like,  to  lit. 
Appetite,   Appetyt,    desire,   ap- 
petite, K.  812,  822. 
Aray,     Arraye,      dress,     outfit, 

equipage,  appearance,    P.    73, 

330,  K.  680.     The  root  is    A.S. 

raed,  Ger.  bereit,   O.E.  graijthe, 

ready. 
Araye,  Arraye,  to  make  ready, 

to  set  out  with  ornaments,  K. 

1188,  2009.     A.S.  geraedian,  to 

make  ready. 
Archdeken,      gen.      Archdtknes, 

Archdeacon  or  dean,  an  eccle- 
siastic next  in  rank  below   a 

bishop,  P.  655. 
Arest,   a   support  for  the  spear 

when   couched  for  the  attack, 

K,  1744.    Named  probably  from 

the  adverb  ==  in-rest. 
Areste,  to  stop,  to  check,  P.  827. 

Fr.  areste,  Lat,  ad-restare. 
Aretted,  imputed,   K.  1871.    Fr. 

arret er,  to  decree. 
Aright,  indeed  (on-right),  P.  189; 

cf.  a  similar  use  of  downright: 

exceedingly,  very,  P.  267  ;  cf. 

right    Honorable,    right    Rev- 
erend. 
Arive,  landing,  attack,  P.  60. 
Arm,  the  arm,  P.  111.  A.S.  carm, 

arm;  the  limb  fitted  or  joined 

on  ;  cf.  Lat.  armiis  the  shoulder, 

ramus  a  branch. 
Arm-gret,  as  great  as  one's  arm, 

K.  1287. 
Armypotent,  powerful  in  arms, 

K.  1124.     Lat.  armipotens. 
Arreest,    restraint,    custody,   K. 

452 ;  cf.  arest. 
Arrerage,   arrears,  P.  602.     Fr. 

arrerages. 
Arsmetrike,  arithmetic,  K.  1040. 
Art,  a  contrivance,  K.  1587.     So 

Lat.  ars. 
Arwe,  arrow,  P.  104.    A.S.  oreive. 
As,  accordiufi-  as,  P.  890  ;  where, 

P.  407;  as^if,  P.  636,  K.  1184; 

namely,  K.  1245,  1499  ;  as  for, 


with  regard  to,  K.  975 ;  as  noiv, 
for  the  present,  K.  27.  All  the 
meanings  are  explained  by  a 
reference  to  the  uncontracted 
form,  a/l-so. 

Ascendent,  that  degree  of  the 
ecliptic  which  is  rising  at  the 
moment  of  one's  birth,  and  by 
which  his  fortune  was  astrolog- 
ically  determined,  P.  417. 

Aschamed,  defeated,  put  to 
shame,  K.  1809.  A.S.  ascam- 
ian. 

Aseged,  besieged,  K.  23.  See 
Siege. 

Aslake,  to  appease,  K.  902.  A.S. 
aslacian,  to  slacken,  to  give  way ; 
cf.  slack,  slack-lime. 

As  nouthe.  As  now,  at  present, 
for  the  present,  P.  462,  K.  1406. 
A.S.  7111  tha,  just  now. 

Asonder,  asunder.  A.S.  from 
sundrian,  to  sunder. 

Aspect,  the  position  of  the  planets 
at  one's  birth,  K.  229. 

Aspye,  to  discover,  K.  562.  Fr. 
cspicr,  Ger,  spdhen,  Eng.  spy. 

Assaut,  assault,  K.  131.  Fr.  from 
Lat.  adsaltiiin,  opposed  to  siege, 
that  is  a  sitting. 

Assayed,  tried,  K.  952.  Fr,  es- 
sai/er,  Lat.  exagere,  to  drive. 

Asschen,  ashes,  K.  444.  A.S, 
asce,  ashes,  dust ;  Ger.  asche. 

Assent,  consent,  agreement.  Lat. 
assentire. 

Assise,  assize,  a  court  held  by  a 
number  of  judges.  Originally 
an  assembly  of  Knights,  with  a 
justice,  for  the  transaction  of 
public  business,  which  is  prob- 
ably the  meaning  in  P.  314. 

Assoillyng,  absolution,  P.  661. 
Lat.  absolntio. 

Asterte,  to  escape,  K.  737.  Allied 
to  A.S.  astyrian. 

Astoneyd,  astonished.  Fr.  e'ton- 
iier,  Ger.  erstaunen,  Eng.  stun. 

Astronomy,  astrology,  P,  414. 

At,  according  to,  P,  816  ;  after,  K, 
1292.     Lat.  ad. 

Athamaunte,  adamant,  K,  447. 
See  Adamauntz. 


256 


GLOSS ABIAL  INDEX. 


A-  three,  in  three,  K.  2076 ;  a  =  in; 
cf.  in  two. 

fiX  oones,  at  once,  —  gen.  used 
adverbially,  K.  978. 

At-rede,  to  surpass  in  counsel, 
out-wit,  K.  1591.  A.^.atraedan; 
cf.  t-wit. 

M-renne,  outrun,  K.  1591. 

A-tte,  at  the,  P.  20,  193 ;  atte  bests 
=  at  the  best,  P.  29,  749 ;  atte 
laste  =  at  the  last,  at  last,  K. 
902.     O.E.  at  than. 

A-tteyne,  to  attain,  K.  385.  Fr. 
atteindre,  Lat.  ntlingere. 

Auctorite,  authority,  a  quotation 
from  some  standard  author,  K. 
2142. 

A-udit>our,  auditor,  a  person  ap- 
pohited  to  audit  or  examine  ac- 
counts, —  of  course  referring 
originally  to  tlie  verbal  state- 
ments of  men  who  usually  could 
not  write,  P.  594.  Lat.  audi- 
tor. 

A-ughte  (pr.  of  to  owe),  ought,  K. 
2281.     A.S.  agan,  pr.  ahte. 

Aungel,  angel,  K.  197.  Gr.  uy- 
ysTiOQ,  a  messenger. 

Auter,  altar,  K.  1047.  Lat.  altus, 
a  high  place.     Fr.  autel. 

Avantage,  opportunity,  advan- 
tage, K.  435.  Fr.  avant,  Lat. 
ah  ante. 

Avaunce,  advance,  P.  246. 

Avaunt,  a  boast,  to  make  avaitnt, 
to  feel  confident,  to  boast,  P. 
227.     Lat.  vanus. 

Avayle,  to  avail,  to  be  able,  K. 
1543,  2182.     Lat.  ad  valere. 

Aventure,  chance,  destiny,  ad- 
venture, P.  25,  795,  844  ;  an  ac- 
cident causing  death  (a  law 
term),  K.  302. 

Avow,  vow,  promise,  K.  1379. 
Fr.  aveu,  Lat.  advocare. 

Avys,  Avis,  consideration,  advice, 
P.  786;  opinion,  K.  1010.  Fr. 
avis,  Lat.  ad  videre. 

Awe,  fear,  dread,  P.  654.  A.S. 
ege,  Gotii.  agan,  ogan,  to  fear. 

Axe,  to  ask,  K.  488.     A.S.  acsian. 

Axyng,  demand,  asking,  K.  968. 
A.S.  acsung. 


Ay,  ever,  always,  P.  63,  572.  A.S 
a  awa,  Gr.  atl,  Lat.  aevum. 

Ayens,  towards,  against,  K.  651. 

Ayel,  a  grandfather,  K.  1619.  Fr- 
a'ieul,  Lat.  {avolus)  avus. 

B. 

Baar,  Bar,  pr.  (of  here)  bore,  car- 
ried, P.  116,  158,  558,  618. 

Bacheler,  a  young  man,  one  not 
yet  attained  to  knighthood,  one 
not  yet  married,  P.  80.  From 
a  Celtic  root. 

Bad  (pr.  of  hidde),  ordered,  P. 
787.     A.S.  biddan,  pr.  haed. 

Baggepipe,  a  set  of  pipes  blown 
by  a  bellows  shaped  like  a  bag, 
P.  565. 

BaiUfiF,  bailiff,  P.  603.  Fr.  haillir, 
to  govern.     O.E.  baili. 

Bak,  back,  K.  192.  A.S.  baec ;  cf. 
Lat.  tergiim,  as  though  Gr.  ripipo^ 
for  OTspipog,  from  aTpi(pcj,  to  turn. 

Bake,  -p.p.  baked,  haken.  This  verb 
was  originally  conjugated  like 
take.    *A.S.  bacan,  hoc,  bacen. 

BaUed,  bald,  P.  198  (see  note), 
light  liaired,  K.  1660. 

Bane,  destruction,  K.  239.  A.S. 
bana,  literally,  a  death-blow. 

Baner,  banner,  K.  108  (see  note). 
Goth,  bandwo,  a  sign. 

Banysche,  to  put  under  ban,  to 
banish,  K.  867  ;  cf.  abandon. 

Bar  (pi.  hare),  bore,  conducted, 
P.  105,  673,  721.  A.S.  heran, 
haer,  horen. 

Barbour,  barber,  one  who  dresses 
the  beard.     Fr.  barbier. 

Bare,  bare,  uncovered,  K.  900 ; 
bare-headed,  P.  683.  A.S.  haer, 
Ger.  baar. 

Bareyn  (e),  barren,  deprived  of, 
K.  386,  1119.     O.Fr.  baraigne. 

Bargayns,  traffic,  P.  282  (see 
note).  O.Fr.  bargnigner,  to 
traffic ;  literally,  to  wrangle. 

Barge,  bark,  a  small  ship,  P.  410. 

Baronage,  an  assembly  of  barons^ 
the  barons  as  a  body,  K.  2238. 
Fr.  baron,  originally,  man,  hus- 
band ;  cf.  A.S.  wer,  Lat.  vir. 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


257 


Barre,  a  bar,  bolt,  K.  217.  The 
same  root  appears  in  sijar  with 
an  initial  s;  of.  O.N.  barr,  a 
tree. 

Barres,the  usual  ornaments  of  the 
girdle,  perforated  to  allow  the 
passage  of  the  buckle.  They 
were  frequently  of  the  riciiest 
description,  P.  829. 

Batayle,  Bataile,  Battaille,  bat- 
tle, P.  61,  K.  751.  From  the 
root  bat,  blow  ;  cf.  beat,  Fr.  battre ; 
cf.  bed,  a  club,  batten/,  assault. 

Baudery,  license,  K.  10G8. 

Bawdrik,  baldrick,  a  belt  worn 
over  one  shoulder  passing  under 
tlie  other  arm,  P.  110.  A.S. 
belt. 

Bay,  bay  color,  K.  1299.  Lat. 
badius,  brown. 

Be,  (1)  to  be,  K.  1377;  (2)  been, 
P.  56,  60. 

Bade,  pi.  beJes,  a  bead,  pi.  a 
rosary,  P.  159.     See  note. 

Been,  Ben,  to  be,  P.  1-10 ;  are, 
P.  178,  K.  317 ;  been,  P.  199. 
Chaucer  uses  three  forms  for 
the  plural,  been,aren,  are. 

Beer  (e),  a  bier,  K.  2013.  A.S. 
beran,  cf.  barrow,  Ger.  bahre. 

Beest,  Best,  a  beast,  K.  451, 1118. 
Lat.  bestia.  Perhaps  from  beon, 
to  be  ;  cf.  ammal  from  anima. 

Beete,  to  kindle,  or  make  a  fire, 
K.  1395.  Literally,  to  make 
better.     A.S.  betan  from  bet. 

Begger  (e),  a  beggar,  P.  252. 
Literally,  a  man  with  a  bag,  the 
universal  characteristic  of  a 
beggar. 

Beggestere,  a  female  beggar,  P. 
242. 

BeUe,  a  bell,  P.  171.  A.S.  from 
bellan,  to  make  a  loud  noise. 

Belt,  a  belt.    A.S.  belt,  Lat.  balteus. 

Ben,  see  Been. 

Benedicite,  ble«s  him,  K.  927, 
Lat. 

Benigne,  kind,  P.  483.  Lat.  be- 
nifjniis. 

Bent,  a  slope  (a  concave),  a  plain 
or  level  place  at  the  foot  of  a 
hill,  K.  1123.     A.S.  bendan. 


Berd  (e),  the  beard,  P.  270,  K. 
1557.     Ger.  bart,  Lat.  Imrba. 

Bere,  a  bear,  K.  782.  A.S.  bera, 
hterally,  "the  great  beast;" 
O.N.  hiurn. 

Bere,  to  pierce,  to  bore,  subj.  bere, 
may  pierce,  K.  1398.  A.S.  bo- 
rian. 

Bersten,  to  burst,  to  break  by 
bending,  K.  1122.     A.S.berstan. 

Berstles,  bristles,  K.  556.  A.S. 
bi/rst,  Ger.  borste. 

Berye,  a  berry,  P.  207.  A.S. 
beria.  From  a  root  =  to  eat. 
The  literal  signification  is  there- 
fore food. 

Beseken,  to  beseech,  K.  60.  A.S. 
secan ;  be  intensive  prefix. 

Best.     See  Beest. 

Besy,  busy,  P.  321.     A.S.  bisig. 

Bet,  contracted  form  of  better,  P. 
242.     A.S.  bet. 

Bete,  (p.p.  bete),  to  beat. 

Bettre,  better,  P.  524.  A.S.  betra, 
Goth,  bats  ;  cf.  boot,  bote,  advan- 
tage "what  boots  ItT'  "to 
boot." 

Betwixe,  betwixt,  P.  277.  A.S. 
beticjjx.  From  root  tao ;  cf.  be- 
ticcen. 

Bever  hat,  a  hat  made  of  beaver 
fur,  P.  272. 

Bewreye,  to  betray,  disclose,  K. 
1371.  Literally,  to  accuse, 
hence  to  point  out.  A.S.  be- 
wregan.  "  Thy  speech  bewray- 
etli  thee,"  Matt.  xxvi.  73. 

Beyying,  buying,  K.  569.  O.E. 
ber/ge.     A.S.  bijcgan. 

Bibie,  a  book  ;  by  way  of  em- 
inence applied  to  the  Sacred 
Scriptures,  P.  438. 

Bi-bled,  be-bled,  covered  with 
blood,  K.  1144.  Be  intensive 
prefix. 

Bifalle  (p-p.  bifalh,  bi fallen),  to 
happen,  befall,  P.  795,  K.  947. 
A.S.  bffrallan. 

Biforn,  before,  P.  572.  A.S.  be- 
far  an. 

Bigan  (v.  aux.),  did,  bigan  areste, 
arrested,  P.  827. 

Bihold    (pr.    biheld,    pp.   biholde, 


17 


258 


GLOSS ABIAL  INDEX. 


beholden),    to  behold,    K.  1435. 

Literally,  to  hold  one's  attention 

to. 
Biloved,  beloved,  p.  215. 
Bisette   (pr.  bisette,    p.p.  biset),  to 

employ,  P.  279  ;  to  arrange,  K. 

2154. 
Biside,near,  beside  (gov.  dative), 

P.  402,  K.  16. 
Bisy,  busy,  active,  fierce,  K.  1462. 

A.S.  bisig. 
Bite,  to  act  as  a  caustic,  to  bite, 

P.  631. 
Bittre,  bitter,   scalding,   K.    422, 

1367.     A.S.  bitter  from  bitmi,  to 

bite  ;  hence  any  thing  pungent. 
Blak  (def.  and  pi.  blake),  black, 

P.  557,   K.    41.     See  note,  P. 

627. 
Blake,  pale,  P.  627.     See   note. 

A.S.  Uac,  pale. 
Blame,  to  blame,  blamable,  P.  375. 

O.Fr.  blasmer,  Gr.  (3?iaG(j)7]/Liea). 
Blankmanger,    a    compound    of 

capon   minced   with    other  in- 
gredients, P.  387. 
Bleynte,  blenched,  started  back, 

K.  220 ;  cf.  blink. 
BUs,  BUsse,  bliss,  K.  372.     A.S. 

blis,  from  blithe,  glad. 
Blisful,  full  of  bliss,  blessed,  P. 

17,  770. 
Blithe,  glad,  P.  846.     See  note. 
BUve,  Blyve,  quickly,   K.   1839. 

O.E.    bi-life  ;    cf.    lively,    quick. 

See  note,"  P.  846. 
Blood,   lineage,   family,  K.   472. 

A.S.  blod ;  cf.  Ger.  blUhen,  bliithe. 
Bocher,  a  butcher,  K.  1167.     Fr. 

boHcher,  from  bone,  a  goat ;  hence, 

literally,  a  goat-killer. 
Bocler,  Bokler,  a  buckler,  a  shield 

with  a  boss,  P.  112.     Pr.  boucle, 

Eng.  buckle. 
Bodye,  abody,  K.  139.    See  note. 
Bok,  pi.  bokes,  a  book. 
Bokelyng,  buckling,  K.  1645. 
Boket,   a  bucket,   K.   675.     Fr. 

baquet,  a  pail. 
Bold,  ready,  prompt,  P.  755.  A.S. 

bald,  bold  ;  cf .  Ger.  bald. 
Bole,  a  bull,  K.  1281.    A.S.  bellan, 

to  bellow. 


Bond,  a  bond,  that  which  binds ; 
in  law  a  sealed  written  agree- 
ment, K.  746.     A.S.  banda. 

Bond,  pr.  of  binde,  bound,  K.  2133. 

Bone,  Boon,  a  bone,  K.  144,  319. 
A.S.  ban.  The  word  originally 
denotes  support ;  cf .  Ger.  bein. 

Book,  a  book,  P.  185.  A.S.  boc, 
Goth,  boka,  letter,  writing,  usu- 
ally derived  from  A.S.  boce, 
beech,  as  beechen  boards  were 
used  instead  of  parchment ;  cf. 
Lat.  liber. 

Boon  (e),  a  prayer,  boon,  K.  1411. 
A.S.  ben. 

Boor  (e),  a  boar,  K.  800.   A.S.&or. 

Boot  (e),  remedy,  P.  424.  A.S. 
bot ;  cf.  beete,  to  mend. 

Boot  (e),  a  boot,  P.  203.  Fr.  botte; 
literally,  a  bag  of  leather.  See 
note ;  cf .  bottle. 

Boowes,  boughs,  K.  2059.  A.S. 
biu/an,  to  bend,  bow. 

Boras,  borax,  perhaps  saltpetre, 
P.  630. 

Bord,  table,  P.  52.  To  begin  the 
bord  =  to  sit  at  the  head  of  the 
table;  see  note.  A.S. bord;  cf. 
border. 

Bore,  p.p.  (for  boren)  born,  K.  684. 

Born,  p.p.  (for  bo7-en),  carried, 
borne,  K.  120;  conducted  him- 
self, P.  87. 

Borwe,  pledge ;  to  borwe,  in  pledge, 
K.  764.  A.S.  borh :  cf.  borrow. 
A.S.  borgian,  to  lend  upon  secu- 
rity.     Ger.  borqen. 

Bothe,  both,  K.  858.  A.S.  batwa : 
ba  =  both,  twa  =  two. 

Bouk,  body,  —  the  same  as  bidky 
K.  1888  ;  cf.  hdge,  bilge. 

Bracer,  armor  for  the  arms  (tro.s), 
P.  Ill,  —  in  this  case  to  protect 
from  the  recoil  of  the  bow- 
string ;  cf.  bracelet. 

Brak,  pr.  of  breke,  broke,  K.  610. 
A.S.  brecan,  pr.  braec. 

Braun,  Brawn,  muscle,  brawn, 
P.  546  ;  cf  braicni/. 

Bravinche,  a  brancii,  K.  209.  Fr. 
branche.  Tlie  root  denotes  a 
support ;  cf .  bi-ace ;  hence  an 
ana,  bras ;  also  figuratively,  the 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


259 


arm  of  a  tree,  —  a  Umh  as  it  is 
colloquially  called. 

Breed,  Bred,  bread,  P.  147.  Ger. 
hrot. 

Breede,  Brede,  breadth,  K.  1112. 
Fiom  x\.S.  brad,  broad. 

Breeme,  furiously,  K.  841.  A.S. 
breme,  from  bremman,  to  rage. 
Sanskrit  bhram,  to  whirl  vio- 
lently. See  note ;  cf.  Lat. 
premere. 

Breeth,  breath,  P.  5.  A.S.  braefh, 
originally  probably  denoting 
steam.       ^ 

Breke  (pr.  braJc,  hroh,  p.p.  broh, 
ibroken),  to  break,  P.  551. 

Brem,  a  bream,  a  fresh-water 
fish,  P.  350. 

Bremstoon,  brimstone,  sulphur  ; 
literally,  the  buriiltxj  stone,  P.  029. 
A.S.  bri/ne. 

Brend,  burnished,  K.  1304.  A.S. 
btjni'in,  to  burn  :  either  from  its 
shining,  or  because  newly  forged 
metal  is  bright ;  so  bratul  de- 
notes a  sword,  because  forged ; 
cf .  brand-new. 

Brende,  pr.  of  brenne,  burned,  K. 
1567. 

Brenne  (pr.  brend,  brent ;  p.p.  h^ent), 
to  burn,  K.  1473.  A.S.  baernan, 
pr.  haernde,  p.p.  bnerned. 

Brennyngly,  ardently,  burn- 
ingly,  K.  706. 

Breres,  briars,  K.  674.  A.S.  braer. 

Brest,  breast,  P.  115.  A.S.  breost 
(berstan),  what  swells  or  bursts 
beyond  the  surface. 

Breste  (pr.  brast;  p.p.  bursten, 
borsten),  to  burst,  K.  1752. 

Brettul,  brimful,  P.  687,  K.  1306. 

Bretherhede,  brotherhood,  broth- 
ers in  a  monastic  order,  P.  511. 

Bridel,  bridle,  P.  169.  Wedg- 
wood suggests  that  the  word  is 
from  bit,  with  r  inserted  ;  hence 
that  part  of  the  harness  hoMing 
the  bit. 

Bright,  bright,  P.  104.  A  S. 
briht.  Formerly  also  applied  to 
sounds. 

Brocli,  a  brooch,  P.  160.  Yv.bro'-^e. 
This  word  means  :  (1)  a  pin ;  {'2) 


a  buckle  or  clasp;  (3)  an  orna- 
ment fastened  with  a  pin  or 
buckle. 

Erode,  broad,  K.  2166. 

Broke,  p.p.  broken. 

Brond,  brand,  K.  1480.  A.S.  6aer- 
nnn. 

Brood  (e),  Brode,  broad,  P.  155, 
471,  549. 

Broode,  plainly,  P.  739.  Ful 
hroode,  verv  plainly. 

Brother, brother's  (gen.),K  2226. 
In  A.S.  this  word  took  no  in- 
flection in  the  gen. 

Brought,  pr.  ot'briiifje,  conducted, 
accompanied,  P.  566. 

Broun,  brown,  P.  109.  A.S.  brun. 
Fi'om  brenmin,  to  burn. 

Browded,  l)raided,  K.  191.  A.S. 
bredan,  to  weave.  See  note  K. 
1640. 

Browdyng,  embroidery,  K.  1640. 

Browes,  evebrovvs,  P.  627,  K. 
270.     A.S.  braew. 

Bulde,  builded,  K.  690.  A.S. 
hi// dan. 

Burdoun,  bass  (in  music),  P.  673. 
See  note. 

Burgeys,  a  citizen,  a  freeman  in 
a  city,  P.  369.  A.S.  burg,  Eng. 
boroiu/h. 

Burned,  burnished,  polished,  K. 
1125.     Fr.  brunir,  to  polish. 

Busche,  Bussh,  a  thicket,  K.  659, 
1155  ;  cf.  bosk,  boscage,  Bushman. 
Fr.  bois,  Ger.  Busch.  The  word 
now  denotes  a  shrub  with  thick 
branches. 

Busily,  attentively,  P.  301. 

Busynesse,  Bysynesse,  occupa- 
tion, employment,  care,  P.  520, 
K.  149;  anxiety,  K.  1070.  A.S. 
bysgian,  to  employ. 

But,  besides,  further,  P.  142  and 
P.  154;  except,  P.  521,  K.  262. 
This  use  is  common  in  Chaucer 
and  in  Wiclif,  and  is  the  preva- 
.ent  meaning  in  A.S.  But, 
O.Sax.  bi-utan  (by-out),  is 
formed  exactly  like  with-out, 
and  is  parallel  io' except  (O.E. 
■^r 'ke),  by  which  its  meanings 
A'  y  be  explained.      It  grad- 


26o 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX, 


ually  loses  its  adversative  force, 
and  becomes  a  conjunction, 
like  besides,  excluding  all  except 
the  point  under  consideration, 
from  whicli  fact  it  gains  a  neg- 
ative force. 

But  if,  urtless,  if  not,  P.  351,  582. 

By,  according  to,  P.  600.  A.S. 
bi,  near. 

By-and-by,  close  to  each  other, 
one  after  the  other,  K.  153 ;  im- 
mediately. "  By  and  by  he  is 
offended,"  Matt.  xiii.  21. 

Bycause,  because,  P.  174.  See 
note. 

Byde,  remain,  abide,  wait,  K.  718. 
A.S.  bidan. 

ByfaUe,  BifaUe  (pr.  bifel,  byfel, 
byfil,  impers.),  to  befall  or 
happen,  P.  19,  K.  151. 

Byforn,  byfore,  before,  P.  100, 

oil. 

Bygynne  fpr.  byrjan,  bigan,  p.p. 
byr/onne),  to  begin,  P.  42,  52,  758, 
K.  690.     A.S.  beginnan. 

Bygge,  big,  large,  K.  566.  Ice- 
landic bolcja,  a  swelling ;  cf. 
bulge,  bilge,  the  bellij  of  a  ship. 

Byholde,  to  behold,  K.  505.  A.S. 
behealden,  literally  to  hold  one 
to ;  hence  to  hold  or  fix  the 
attention,  to  see :  "  I  am  be- 
holden to  you,"  ''behold  and 
see." 

Byhote,  promise,  K.  996.  A.S. 
be  hat  an. 

Byhynde,  behind,  K.  192. 

Byjaped,  deceived,  fooled,  K.  727. 
"  O.E./oyje,  joke, lie;  Fr.japper, 
to  yelp.  The  root  jap  is  con- 
nected with  gab,  jab,  as  in  gab- 
ble, jabber,"  Morris. 

Byknowe,  to  acknowledge,  K. 
698.     A.S.  be-cnawan. 

By-loved,  beloved,  K.  571. 

Byndyng,  control,  K.  446.  A.S. 
bindan,  whence,  bind,  hand,  bun- 
dle;  cf  tlie  "binding  force  of 
an  obligation." 

Bynne,  bin,  K.  593.  A.S.  hinne, 
a  bin,  manger,  —  that  into  which 
something  is  put ;  technically, 
an    apartment  in   a   granary 


in  composition  any  receptacle , 
e.g.,  a  coal  bin  ;  cf.  binnan,  with- 
in ;  inn,  a  tavern. 

Byquethe,  to  bequeath,  K.  1910. 
A.S.  quethan,  to  say  ;  cf.  guoth. 

Byraft,  p.p.  of  bt/reave,  bereft,  K. 
503.  A.S.  bereajian,  to  deprive 
of;  cf.  reave. 

Byside,  beside,  near,  by  the  side 
of,  K.  109.  Of  by  side,  from 
near,  P.  445. 

Bysmctered,  smutted,  stained,  P. 
76.  A.S.  besmitan,  to  defile  ;  cf. 
S}7iut,  smudge. 

Byt,  3d  sing.  pres.  of  bidde,  bids, 
P.  187,  —  an  abbreviation  of 
biddeth ;  cf  ryt  =  rideth. 

Bytwixe,  Bytwoxen,  between, 
K.  22.  From  the  radical  tiro, 
twain,  hence  the  idea  of  sepa- 
ration ;  cf.  twynne,  P.  835. 

c. 

Caas,  Cas,  a  state  of  things,  what 
happens  or  falls,  an  accident, 
chance,  P.  585,  844;  circum- 
stances, K.  2113.  Lat.  casus, 
from  cadere,  to  fall ;  a  law  term 
=  cases,  P.  323,  Lat.  causa. 

Caas,  a  case,  quiver,  K.  1222.  Fr. 
caisse,  Lat.  capsa  ;  cf.  caisson. 

Cacche  (pr.  caughte),  to  catch, 
select,  P.  498. 

Calf  (of  leg),  the  fleshy  part  of 
the  leg,  P.  592.  Collop  is  an- 
other form  of  the  word. 

Cam,  came,  P.  547. 

Can,  (1)  to  know,  P.  210,  K.  922; 
(2)  to  acknowledge,  as  in  the 
phrase  "can  thank,"  K.^50. 
Ger.  danh  wissen.  A  S.  cunnan, 
to  know  ;  whence  cunniyiq,  ken. 

Cantel,  a  corner,  K.  2150.  "  O.Fr. 
chantel,  Ger.  kante. 

Cape,  a  headland,  cape,  P.  408. 
Fr.  cap,  Lat.  caput. 

Cappe,  a  cap,  hood,  a  priest's 
skull-cap,  P.  683. 

Care,  sorrow,  K.  631, 1214.  A.S. 
caru. 

Carf,  pr.  of  hei've,  carved,  P.  100. 
A.S.  ceorjan,  pr.  cear'f. 


G  LOS  SARI AL  IXDEX. 


261 


Careful,  full  of  care  or  sorrow, 
anxious,  K.  707. 

Carie,  to  carry,  P.  130.  Fr.  carier ; 
cf.  car,  cart,  chair,  chariot. 

Carl,  a  churl,  a  man,  particularly 
of  the  lower  orders  of  society, 
P.  545.     A.S.  ccorl,  a  man. 

Caroigne,  a  corpse,  K.  1155.  Lat. 
cai'o,  flesh. 

Carol,  a  song  accompanied  with 
dancing,  K.  1073.  Fr.  carole. 
So  ballad,  from  ballire,  to  dance. 

Carpe,  to  talk,  P.  47-4.  Allied 
to  chirp. 

Carpenter^  a  worker  in  wood,  a 
carpenter,  P.  361.     See  note. 

Carte,  a  chariot,  car,  K.  1183; 
cart,  K.  1104.  Fr.  char,  dim. 
charette.  From  same  root  with 
carri/. 

Cartere,  carter,  K.  1164. 

Cas.     See  Caas. 

Caste,  device,  K.  1610.  From 
caste,  to  contrive. 

Caste,  to  judge,  plan,  calculate, 
K.  1314.  A.S.  costian,  —perhaps 
alluding  to  the  primitive  method 
of  calculation  by  pebbles. 

Catel,  property,  chattels,  P.  373, 
540,  —  the  same  word  witli  cat- 
tle. Lat.  capitale  ;  cf.  Lat.  pecu- 
nia,  from  pecns.  See  note,  P.  373. 

Caughte,  took,  P.  498.  See 
Cacche. 

Cause,  case,  P.  423.  This  use  of 
cause  is  now  restricted  to  legal 
language.     Lat.  causa. 

Caytif,  captive,  wretcli,  Avretched, 
K.  66,694.  Fr.  chetif,  Lat.  cap- 
tivus.  As  an  adjective  it  de- 
notes that  condition  of  body  or 
of  mind  induced  by  captivity. 

Cercles,  circles,  of  his  eyen  =  eye- 
balls, K.  1273.  A.S.  eaganltrin- 
f/as,  eye-rings. 

Cerial,  a  species  of  oak,  cerriis,  K. 
1432. 

Certes,  certainly,  forsooth,  K 
17.     Fr.  certes,  Lat.  ceriiis. 

Certeyn,  fixed,  determined,  P. 
815.     Fr.  rcrfain. 

Certeynly,  Certeyn  (adv.),  cer- 
tainly, indeed,  P.  204,  375,  451. 


Ceruce,  wliite  lead, — used  as  a 
cosmetic,  P.  630. 

Chamberleyn,  a  chamberlain, 
one  having  charge  of  the  apart- 
ments in  tlie  royal  residence,  K. 
560 ;  cf .  Ger.  kdmitierling. 

Chambre,  a  room,  P.  28.  Lat. 
cairiera,  Ger.  karnmer. 

Champartye,  partnership  in 
power  :  literally,  partnership  in 
land,  K.  1091.     Fr.  champ-parti. 

Champioun,  champion,  P.  239. 
A.S.  cainpian,  to  fight;  cf.  Lat. 
campus.     A.S.  camp. 

Chapel,  a  shrine,  chapel,  P.  171. 
See  note,  Lat.  capella. 

Chapellyn,  a  chaplain,  a  clergy- 
man in  charge  of  a  chapel  or 
shrine,  P.  164.     See  note. 

Chapman,   a   merchant,  P.    397. 

A.S.    ceapman,    Ger.    haufman; 

cf.    cheap,    chaffer    (O.E.    ciiap- 

fcire),    and    the    proper    name 

Chapman. 

Char,  car,  chariot.  See  note,  K. 
1183. 

Charge,  care,  any  thing  under- 
taken, P.  733,  see  note ;  K. 
426,  harm,  K.  1429.  Literally  : 
(1)  a  burden;  hence,  (2)  busi- 
ness of  importance,  weighty 
matters  ;  (3)  whatever  op- 
presses the  mind ;  (4),  what 
burdens  the  reputation ;  cf. 
can/o,  caricature. 

Charitable,  kind,  P.  143,  —  not 
restricted  to  alms-giving. 

Charite,  charity,  love,  good-will, 
an  act  of  kindness,  P.  532,  K. 
575.    Fr.  charite,  Lat.  caritas. 

Charme,  charm,  K.  1854.  Lat. 
carmen,  a  song,  a  magic  incan- 
tation in  verse. 

Chaunce,  event,  chance,  K.  894. 
O.Fr.  che'ance,  from  eheoir,  Lat. 
cadere,  to  fall,  alluding  to  the 
throw  of  dice. 

Chaunterie,  an  endowment  for 
paying  a  priest  to  sing  masses 
for  the  soul  of  the  founder,  P. 
510. 

Cheef,  chief,  K.  199.  Fr.  chef, 
Lat.  caput. 


262 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


Cheeke,  cheek,  P.  633.  A.S. 
ceaca,  a  jaw  from  ceoivan,  to 
chew;  cf.  chaw, jaw. 

Cheer  (e),  Chere,  countenance, 
air,  manner,  appearance,  en- 
tertainment, P.  139,  728,  857, 
K.  1361,  1825.  Fr.  chere,  the 
face:  (1)  the  countenance ;  (2) 
states  of  mind  or  body,  —  par- 
ticuhirly  pleasant  states,  —  as 
indicated  by  the  face;  (3)  that 
which  causes  cheer,  as  good 
cheer;  (4)  outward  demon- 
strations of  such  feelings,  as 
"  the  clieers  of  the  audience." 

Chepe,  Cheapside  in  London,  — 
the  market,  — P.  754.  A.S.  cea- 
pan,  to  buy. 

Cherl,  a  churl,  K.  1601,  See  Carl. 

Chese,  imperative,  ches,  cliesetli, 
to  choose,  K.  737.     A.S.  ceo.sa/?. 

Chesteyn,  a  chestnut-tree,  K. 
20Gi.     Lat.  castanea. 

Cheventein,  chieftain,  captain, 
K.  16'J7.  O. Fr.  chevetain;  N.Fr. 
capitaine,  from  chef,  head  ;  Lat. 
caput. 

Chevysaunce,  a  loan,  an  agree- 
ment or  bond  given  to  secure  a 
loan  of  money,  P.  282  Fr. 
achever,  to  bring  to  an  end,  to 
accomplish. 

Cheyne,  a  chain,  K.  2130.  Fr. 
chei/ne,  Lat.  ca-tena ;  cf.  tenere, 
to  hold. 

Children,  pi.  of  child,  P.  628. 
A.S.  ci/d,  pi.  ci/dra,  from  cennan, 
to  beget,  —  an  instance  of  mod- 
ern adoption  of  a  plural  in  n ; 
cf.  kin,  kind,  kin;;. 

Chirkyng,  shrieking,  K.  1146. 
A.S.  cearcian,  to  croak;  cf.  chirp. 
In  E.E.  denotes  the  noise  made 
by  birds. 

Chivachie,  military  service,  P. 
85.     Fr.  cheval,  a  horse. 

Chivalrie,  Chyvalrie,  the  pro- 
fession of  a  kniglit,  knighthood, 
P.  45,  knightly  exploits,  K.  7. 
Fr.  cheralier,  a  horseman. 

Christendom,  Christian  countries, 
P.  49.  Doni  {deman,  to  deem), 
originally  denoted  belief,  so  that 


Christendom  meant  the  body  of 
Christian  faith ;  also  the  coun- 
tries within  wliich  such  faith 
was  held :  from  the  second 
meaning  of  deman,  to  judge, 
the  termination  dom  indicates 
jurisdiction,  as  king-dom. 

Churche,  Chirche,  a  building 
devoted  to  divine  service,  P. 
708,  K.  1902.  I  see  no  reason 
to  doubt  the  usual  derivation 
from  Gr.  KvpiuKij. 

Chyken,  gen.  cht/knes,  a  chicken, 
P.  380.     A.S.  cicen,  pi.  cicenu. 

Cireumstaunces,  things  apper- 
taining to,  K.  1074  ;  attendant 
rites,  K.  1405 ;  matters  which 
indicate  one's  station  in  life, 
K.  1930;  cf  "in  poor  circum- 
stances." Lat.  circum-stantia ; 
cf.  Ger.  umstand. 

Cite  (e),  a  city,  K.  81.  Fr.  cite, 
Lat.  civitas. 

Citole,  a  dulcimer,  K.  1101. 

Clad  (p.p.  of  clothe),  clothed,  clad, 
P.  103.  27i  in  the  present  is 
for  dh.  A.S.  cladhian,  Ger. 
kleiden. 

elapsed,  clasped,  P.  273.  Ger. 
klappsen ;  cf .  clip,  to  embrace. 

Clarioun,  clarion,  K.  1653.  Fr. 
clair,  clear. 

Clarre,  wine  mixed  with  honey 
and  spices  and  strained  until  it 
is  clear,  whence  the  name,  K. 
613. 

Clatere  (n),  to  clatter,  rattle,  K. 
1501.     An  imitative  word. 

Clause  —  in  a  clause  =  in  conclu- 
sion, K.  905.  Lat.  clausus, 
claudere,  to  shut ;  cf  close. 

Clear  (e),  c'ear,  clearly,  P.  170. 
Fr.  clair,  Ger.  klar,  Lat.  clarus. 

Clemence,  pity,  K.  70.  Lat.  de- 
mentia. 

Clene,  clean,  cleanly,  P.  138,  367. 
A.S.  claene;  cf.  Ger.  klein,  small ; 
hence,  neat. 

Clennesse,  cleanness,  purity,  P. 
506. 

Clense,  to  cleanse,  P.  631.  A.S. 
claensian. 

Clepen  (p.p.  cleped),  to   call,  P 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


263 


121,  G43,  K.  930.  A.S.  chjpian. 
Still  used  as  an  archaic  partici- 
ple, yclept ;  cf.  clap,  clapper. 

Clerk,  an  educated  person,  a 
scholar,  a  clergyman,  F.  285, 
480.     See  note. 

Cloke,  a  cloak,  1\  157.  Gael,  cloc, 
a  mantle. 

Clothred,  clotted,  K.  1887.  From 
tlie  root  clot  or  clod,  a  thick 
mass;  cloud  is  from  the  same 
root,  denoting  vapor  drawn  into 
masses.     A.S.  dot,  Ger.  Uoss. 

Cloysterer,  one  belonging  to  a 
cloister,  and  hence  not  accus- 
tomed to  appearing  in  public,  1\ 
259. 

Cloystre,  a  cloister,  P.  185.  Lat. 
claadere,  to  shut. 

Cofre,  a  coffer,  chest,  receptacle, 
P.  298.  A.S.  co/,  a  cave;  Fr. 
cajfre ;  cf.  coffin. 

Cok,  a  cock,  a  leader,  P.  823. 
A.S.  coc,  whence  chick. 

Col,  coal,  K.  1834.  A.S.  col,  Ger. 
fcohle ;  cf.  Lat.  calere,  to  be  hot. 

Col-blak,  as  black  as  a  coal,  coal- 
V)lack,  K.  1284. 

Colde,  cold,  K.  444,  sad,  K.  1062, 
fatal  (\vl  Kit  makes  cold),  K.  1609. 
A.S.  cald,  Ger.  Icalt,  Lat.  gelu. 

Colerik,  irascible,  bilious,  P.  587. 
Gr.  X^^^V,  bile  ;  cf.  nulan-clioli/. 

Colers,  collars,  K.  1294.  Lat. 
colliun,  the  neck. 

Come  (pr.  com,  p.p.  comen),  to 
come,  P.  671,  672,  K.  497.  A.S. 
cuman,  com,  cumen. 

Communes,  commoners,  K.  1651. 
Fr.  commune. 

Compaas,  a  circle,  K.  1031.  Fr. 
com  pas. 

Companye,  company,  P.  24.  Fr. 
compii(/)ion  ;  Low  Lat.  conpanium, 
—  panis  =  bread, —  a  messmate, 
hence  an  associate. 

Compassyng,  means  taken  to  ac- 
complish any  thing,  K.  1138. 

Comper,  an  associate  intimate, 
compeer,  P.  670.  O.Fr.  compair, 
Lat.  con-par. 

Complexioun,  complexion,  P. 
333  ;  temperament,  natural  dis- 


position, K.  1617.  Lat.  com- 
])lexio,  a  combination ;  hence 
applied  to  the  color  of  the  skin, 
&c.,  as  revealing  health  or 
mental  characteristics. 

Compleynt,  Complaint,  com- 
plaint, K.  2004;  armed  complaint 
—  riot,  K.  1154. 

Compleyne,  to  complain,  K.  50. 
Fr.  complaindre,  Lat.  con-plan- 
gore,  literally  to  beat  the  breast 
or  hands  in  token  of  sorrow. 

Composicioun,  mutual  agree- 
ment, P.  848.     Lat.  compositio. 

Conith,  Cometh. 

Comune  —  in  comune,  commonly, 
K.  393. 

Conclusioun,  a  legal  term  denot- 
ing the  close  of  a  ])leadinir,  K. 
987. 

Condicioun,  condition,  P.  88. 
l>at.  conditio,  putting  together. 

Confort,  comfort,  P".  776.  Fr. 
confort,  Lat.  con-fortis. 

Conforte,  to  comfort,  to  make 
strong  or  brave,  K.  858. 

Conlus,  confused,  K.  1372.  Lat. 
confusns. 

Coniusioun,  ruin,  K.  687.  Lat. 
confundere.  So  used  in  "  The 
city  of  confusion.''  Is.  xxiv. 
10. 

Conne,  to  know,  to  be  able.  See 
Can;  cf.  to  "  con  a  lesson." 

Conquerour,  conqueror,  K.  4. 
Fr.  conqueiir,  Lat.  conquiri-re,  to 
seek,  to  obtain  by  seeking, 
hence  to  get  the  victory. 

Conscience,  feeling,  tender-heart- 
edness, P.  142,  1-50  ;  conscience, 
P.  526.  Lat.  conscientia  (con- 
scire),  what  one  knows  with 
another  :  (1)  joint  knowledge  ; 
(2)  self-consciousness,  —  "no 
more  conscience  of  sin,"  Heb. 
X.  10  ;  (3)  conscience,  a  recogni- 
tion of  the  obligation ;  (4)  the 
faculty  by  which  such  recogni- 
tion is  had.  In  E.E.  the  first 
meaning  is  common  =  sym- 
pathy, —  as  though  to  know  of 
affliction  was  to  sympathize 
with  it. 


264 


OLOSSARIAL  INDEX, 


Conseil,  Conseyl,  secret  counsel, 
F.  605 ;  cf.  "  to  keep  one's 
counsel,"  an  adviser,  K.  283, 
289;  cf.  "of  counsel.''  Lat. 
cojisiilere. 

Conserve,  to  preserve,  K.  1471. 
Lat.  conservare. 

ConsteUacioun,  a  conjunction  of 
stars  as  atiecting  the  destinies 
of  men,  K.  230,  —  not  here  used 
in  the  ordinary  astronomical 
sense.     Lat.  con-stel/atio. 

Contek,  strife,  K.  1115.  O.Fr.  con- 
tencer,  to  strive. 

Contenaunee,  countenance,  ap- 
pearance, K.  1058.  Lat.  con- 
tlnere,  to  hold  together. 

Contrarye,  an  opponent,  K.  1001. 
Lat.  contra. 

Contra  Contrie,  country,  K.  6, 
355,  P.  216  ;  see  note.  Fr.  con- 
tree  ;  cf.  Ger.  ger/end. 

Conveye,  to  accompany,  to  con- 
vey, K.  1879.  Fr.  convoi/e?-,  Lat. 
con-via ;  the  later  use  —  to  carry 
—  seems  to  be  from  Lat.  con- 
vehere,  as  when  we  call  a  wagon 
a  conveifance  ;  cf.  convoy. 

Coote,  a  coat,  tunic,  P.  103.  The 
primary  meaning  is  a  matted 
lock  of  wool ;  (2)  a  matted  or 
felted  piece ;  (3)  a  garment 
made  of  similar  material,  and 
covering  the  whole  body. 

Coote-armure,  Cote-a.,  a  coat 
worn  over  the  armor,  upon 
which  the  armorial  devices  of 
the  wearer  were  embroidered, 
K.  158,  1282. 

Cop,  the  top,  P.  554.  A.S.  copp, 
Ger.  ko]\f,  Gr.  Kt^-a\ri  j  Lat.  cap- 
ut.    See  note. 

Cope,  a  priest's  gown  which 
reached  to  the  feet,  P.  260; 
semi-cope,  a  short  cape,  P.  26  2. 

Corage,  heart,  spirit,  courage,  P. 
11.     Fr.  courage,  Lat.  cor. 

Cordial,  an  invigorating  potion, 
P.  443.     Lat.  cor. 

Corona,  Corowne,  a  crown,  K. 
964.     Fr.  couronne,  Lat.  corona. 

Corrumpable,  corruptible,  K. 
2152. 


Corrumpe,  to  corrupt,  K.  1888. 
Lat.  cor r ampere. 

Corven  (p.p.  of  kerce),  cut,  K. 
1838. 

Cosin,  Cosyn,  a  cousin,  kinsman, 
K.  272.  Fr.  from  Lat.  consobri- 
nus. 

Cost,  cost,  P.  213,  799 ;  for  no  cost, 
on  no  account,  for  no  reason, 
P.  192,  Ger.  kosten,  Lat.  constare. 

Cosyn,  allied  to,  P.  742. 

Cota,  a  cell,  cottage ;  thence:  (1) 
a  place  in  which  animals  are 
confined,  e.g.  sheepcot;  (2)  a 
place  in  which  men  are  con- 
lined,  a  cell,  or,  in  sickness,  a 
bed,  K.  1599.  A.S.  cote,  a  cot- 
tage, bed,  den. 

Cota,  a  coat,  P.  612. 

Couched,  Cowehed,  trimmed,  K. 
1303;  laid,  K.  2075.  Fr.  cou- 
cher,  to  lay,  Lat.  collocare,  to  ar- 
range. 

Counsail,  counsel,  advice,  P.  784  ; 
adviser,  K.  283,  of  mij  counseil, 
as  in  legal  phrase  "  of  counsel." 

Countour,  auditor,  one  who  man- 
aged or  reviewed  the  fiscal 
concerns  of  a  country,  —  now 
usually  called  a  comptroller, 
P.  359.     Fr.  comptour. 

Countrafata,   to  imitate,  P.  139. 
In    E.E.    the   idea  of  fraud   is 
wanting  ;  counterfeit  often  de- 
notes a  painting.      Fr.    contre- 
faire. 

Cours,  course,  P.  8,  a  run  ;  K. 
836.     Fr.  cours,  Lat.  cursus. 

Courser,  a  horse ;  literally,  a  run- 
ner, hence  a  fleet  horse,  one 
used  in  hunting  or  on  the  road, 
K.  94. 

Court,  court,  P.  140.     See  note. 

Courtepy,  a  short  cloak  of  coarse 
cloth,  P.  290. 

Courtasia.     See  Curtasee. 

Coutha,  Cowtha,  Cowde,  (1) 
could,  P.  236,  326  ;  (2)  knew,  P. 
467  ;  (3)  p.p.  known,  renowned, 
P.  14,     See  Can. 

Covenaunt,  a  written  agreement, 


P.  600. 
venire. 


Fr.  covenant,   Lat.  con- 


GLOSSAEIAL  INDEX. 


265 


Covyne,  deceit ;  literally,  a  plot 
between  two  persons  to  injure 
a  third,  F.  604.     Lat.  convenire. 

Cowardye,  cowardice,  K.  1872. 
See  note. 

Cowde  (pr.  of  can),  could,  P.  94, 
106 ;  knew  how,  was  acquainted 
with,  P.  110. 

Coy,  shy,  P.  119.  Fr.  coy,  colt, 
Lat.  quietus. 

Cracchyng,  scratching^,  K.  1976. 
We  have  added  the  intensive  s. 

Cradel,  cradle,  K.  1161.  A.S. 
cradol.  Tlie  original  is  found 
in  crate,  an  open  wicker  case  : 
hence,  (1)  any  thing  made  of 
wicker-work,  and  (2)  any  thing 
made  in  imitation  of  it ;  e.g. 
grate  ;  cf.  cradle,  a  tool  for  cut- 
ting grain,  so  called  from  its 
interlaced  frame. 

Craft,  craft,  calUng,  occupation, 
P.  110,  401.  A.S.  craeft.  (1) 
power,  strength ;  (2)  that  to 
which  one  devotes  his  strength, 
—  his  occupation. 

Crafty,  skilled,  KJ 1039.  Able  to 
use  one's  craft. 

Crispe,  curled,  K.  1307.  A.S. 
cirpsian,  to  curl,  Lat.  crispus. 

Croppe,  crop,  P.  7,  top,  K.  674. 
A.S.  crop,  top,  hence  an  ear  of 
corn,  a  harvest ;  cf.  tlie  "  crop- 
ping out  of  the  strata;  "  to  crop, 
to  bite  off  the  top.  Some  derive 
crop  from  ge-rip,  that  which  is 
reaped. 

Crowe,  a  crow,  K.  1834.  A.S. 
a^aiv,  named  from  its  note  ;  cf. 
ci'oaJc. 

Cruel,  blood-thirsty,  cruel,  K. 
799.  Lat.  crudelis,  from  cruor, 
blood. 

Crulle,  curled,  curly,  P.  81.  Ger. 
krUlJen,  to  curl ;  cf.  cruller,  a 
curled  or  twisted  cake. 

Crydestow,  criedst  thou,  K.  225. 

Crye  (pr.  oy/de),  to  cry  aloud,  to 
shout,  P.  636  ;  cf.  A.S.  graedan 
[(je-raedan),  Goth,  ga-raidjan,  to 
command  ;   Scotch,  greet,  to  cry. 

Cryke,  a  creek,  harbor,  P.  409. 
Fr.  crique,  a  little  bay. 


Culpons,  Culpouns,  shreds,  small 
bundles,  P.  679,  K.  2009.  Fr. 
coupon,  from  couper,  to  cut. 

Cuntre,  Contra,  country,  P.  216. 
See  note,  Fr.  contree. 

Cuppe,  a  cup,  P.  134.  A.S.  cup- 
pa ;  cf.  coop. 

Curat,  a  curate,  P.  219.  Lat. 
caratus,  from  curare,  to  care  for. 

Cure,  care,  K.  149.  Lat.  euro. 
Still  used  in  "  the  cure  of 
souls." 

Curious,  (1)  careful;  (2)  wrought 
with  care  ;  e.g.,  "  curious 
works,"  Ex.  XXXV.  32;  (3), 
exercising  care  ;  (4)  careful  to 
learn;  (5)  that  requiring  care 
to  understand,  P.  196,  577.  Fr. 
curieux,  Lat.  curiosus. 

Curs,  a  curse,  an  imprecation,  P. 
655.  An  imprecation  of  evil  in 
the  name  of  religion,  —  the 
cross ;  hence,  any  imprecation 
of  evil.     A.S.  curs. 

Curteis,  Curteys,  courteous,  P. 
249. 

Curtesie,  courtesy,  favor,  indul- 
gence, P.  46,  725.  Fr.  courtoisie, 
the  manners  of  the  court ;  cf. 
Ger,  hof-Uch ;  boorish,  from  bauer, 
a  peasant. 

Cuts,  lots  ;  draiceth  cuts,  draw  cuts 
or  lots,  P.  835 ;  alluding  to  the 
practice  of  determining  the  lot 
by  drawing  straws  from  the 
thatch,  or  by  drawing  from  the 
hand  straws  cut  different 
lengths.  The  name  and  the 
act  are  common. 

Cytryn,  a  lemon-yellow  color,  K. 
1309. 

D. 

Daggere,  a  dagger,  P.  113;  cf. 
dig,  did}. 

Daliaunce,  play,  gossip,  P.  211. 
Ger.  dahlen.  "  From  Lat.  talus, 
the  ankle-bone  of  animals,  then 
a  die  to  play  with,  came  ap- 
parently the  O.E.  daly,  a  die, 
plaything."  Wedgwood.  Hence 
play,  spending  tmie  idly. 


266 


OLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Dampned,  condemned,  doomed, 
K.  317,  887.  Lat.  damnare,  to 
cause  to  suffer  loss. 

Dar  (2d  sing.  pres.  darst ;  pr. 
dorste,  durste),  to  dare,  K.  293, 
282,  F.  454.  A.S.  dt/rran,  2d 
pres.  dearst,  pr.  dorste. 

Darreyne.     See  Dereyne. 

Daun,  Dan,  lord,  a  title  of  respect, 
used  as  we  use  sir,  K.  521.  Lat. 
doinimis. 

Daunce,  a  dance,  the  olde  daunce, 
the  old  game,  P.  476. 

Daunce,  to  dance,  K.  1344.  Orig- 
inal meaning  to  stamp. 

Daunger,  a  dangerous  situation, 
P.  402  ;  jurisdiction,  P.  663, 
see  note;  fine,  K,  991.  Lat. 
damnum,  a  fine. 

Daungerous,  arrogant,  sparing 
through  arrogance,  P.  517. 

Daunsynge,  dancing,  K.  1343. 

Dawen,  to  dawn,  3d  sing,  daweth, 
K.  818.     A.S.  dcujkin. 

Dayerie,  dairy,  P.  597.  O.E.  deye, 
a  dairymaid. 

Dayeseye,  a  daisy,  P.  332.  The 
eye-of-day. 

Dayeslight,  dayhght,  K.  771. 
Light-of-day. 

Debate,  fight,  K.  896.  Fr.  debattre, 
to  contend.  From  the  root  bat 
(beat)  ;  now  restricted  to  wordy 
battles. 

Debonaire,  gentle,  K.  1424.  Fr. 
de-bon-air. 

Decree,  a  law  writ,  P.  640.  Lat. 
decretiim. 

Dede,  a  deed,  P.  742.  A.S.  daed, 
a  tiling  done. 

Dede  (pr.  oidon),  did,  K.  891. 

Dede,  Deed  (e),  dead,  P.  145,  781, 
K.  147 ;  death-like,  K.  720. 

Dedly,  Deedly,  deathdike,  deadly, 
K.  55,  224. 

Deduyt,  pleasure,  K.  1319.  O.Fr. 
dedut. 

Deef,  deaf,  P.  446.  "  The  mean- 
ing of  the  Gothic  daubs,  daufs, 
Ger.  taub,  Eng.  deaf,  seems 
founded  in  the  notion  of  stop- 
ping an  orifice,"   Wedgwood. 

Deemeth.     See  Deme. 


Deepe,  Depe,   deeply,   K.   1782. 

Allied  to  dtp,  dig. 
Deer,  a  deer,  K.  1292,     A.S.  deor, 

a  wild  animal ;  Ger.  thier. 
Deere,  dearly,   K.   2242.     GaeHc 

daor,  bound,  precious. 
Deeth,  death,  P.  605.     A.S.  death, 

allied  to  deaf;  cf.  "  a  deaf  nut." 
Defye,   renoimce,    K.    746.      Fr. 

defer,  Lat.  dis  fidere. 
Degre   (e),    degree,    rank,  P.   40 

(see  note),  P.  744 ;  position,  con- 
dition,   K.   983 ;     steps,     seats 

rising   one   above   another,   K. 

1032,  1721.     Fr.  dejjre,  L-dt.  gra- 

das  ;  cf .  degrade. 
Del,  part,  portion,  deal,  K.  967, 

1233  ;    never  a  del,  none  at  all ; 

som  del,  somewhat.     A.S.  dael, 

Ger.  theil;  cf.   "a   good  deal," 

in  which  good  has  its  original 

force  of  great. 
Delen,  to  share,  to  divide,  to  have 

dealings  with,  P.  247  ;  see  note. 

A.S.  daelan. 
Delite,  Delyt,  pleasure,  luxury, 

P.  335,  K.  821.     Lat.  delectare. 
Delve   (pr.  delf,  dalf,  p.p.  dolven), 

to  chg,  to  toil,   P.   536.     A.S. 

delfan,  to  dig,  hence  any  hard 

labor. 
Delyvere,  active,  P.  84.     Fr.  de- 

livre,  Lat.  liber. 
Deme,    Deeme,     2d     imperative 

deemeth,   to   judge,   decide,   K. 

495,  1023.      A.S.    deman  ;     cf. 

doom,  dooms-day. 
Departe,  to  separate,  K.  276.     Fr. 

de'partir ;  cf.  department. 
Departyng,  separating,  K.  1916. 

Lat.  dis  partire. 
Depeynted,  depicted,  painted,  K. 

1169. 
Dere,  dear,  K.  376.     Gaelic  daor, 

bound,  held  closely,  hence  pre- 
cious. 
Dere,   to    hurtj   injure,    K.    964. 

A.S.  derian. 
Dereyne,  Darreyne,  to  decide  by 

battle,  to  contest,  K.  751,  773. 

A  Norman  term,  desrener,  from 

Low    Lat.    derationare ;    of.  a/'- 

raign. 


GLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


267 


Dereyved,  derived,  K.  2180. 
Lat.  denrere,  to  turn  water  from 
its  main  channel. 

Derk(e),  dark,  K.  1137.  A.S. 
dectrc. 

Derknesse,  darkness,  K.  593. 

Derre  (comp.),  dearer,  K.  5U0. 

Deryve  (od  sing,  derivcth),  is  de- 
rived, proceeds,  K.  2148  (Lat. 
de  and  rivus,  a  brook)  :  (1) 
(transitively),  to  divert  streams 
of  water  into  side  ciiannels  ;  (2) 
(intr.),  to  flow  into  side  chan- 
nels; hence,  (3)  to  draw  from, 
or  aside. 

Deserve,  to  earn  by  service,  to 
earn,  K.  374.     Lat.  servire. 

Desir,  Desyr,  desire,  K.  385. 
Lat.  desiderium,  a  feeling  of 
want  of  something. 

Desiryng,  desire,  K.  1064. 

Despitous,  Dispitous,  pitiless, 
severe,  P.  516,  K.  738.  Lat. 
^/,s  pi  etas. 

Despleye,  to  display,  unfold,  K. 
108.  O.Fr.  desployer ;  cf.  deploi/, 
Fr.  de'ployer. 

Despyt,  maUce,  spite,  K.  83.  O.Fr. 
d('spit,  Lat.  desjiicere. 

DestreinCj  Destreyne,  to  oppress, 
K.  597.  Fr.  distraindre ;  cf.  dis- 
tress. 

Destraye,  to  destroy,  K.  472. 
O.Fr.  destruire,  Lat.  destruere,  to 
scatter. 

Deth  (e),  pestilence,  P.  605,  a 
corpse,  K.  1150.  Goth,  diwan, 
to  die;  hence,  (1)  the  act  of 
dying;  (2)  that  which  causes 
death  ;   (3)  the  result  of  death. 

Dette,  debt,  P.  280.    Lat.  debitum. 

Detteles,  free  from  debt  or  obli- 
gation, P.  582. 

Devise,  Devyse,  to  speak  of,  to 
relate,  P.  34,  K.  136,  100;  to 
order,  direct,  K.  558 ;  to  em- 
belUsh  (to  contrive),  K.  1043. 
O.Fr.  deviser,  to  plan ;  Lat.  di- 
videre. 

Devoir,  duty,  K.  1740.  Fr.  de- 
voir, Lat.  debere. 

Devoutly,  earnestly,  devotedly,  P. 
482.  Lat.  decotus,  held  by  a  vow. 


Devynynge,  divination,  K.  1668. 

Devys,  direction,  advice,  P.  816. 
Lat.  divisus. 

Devysyng,  ad j  ustment,  arrang- 
ing, K.  1638. 

Dewe,  due,  what  is  due,  K.  2186. 
Fr.  dd  from  devoir. 

Deye  (n)  (pr.  deide,  dei/de),  to  die, 
K.  251.     Goth,  diican. 

Deyere,  a  dyer,  P.  362.  A.S. 
deuf/an,  to  die  ;  cf.  dag,  dag- 
gled. 

Deynte,  dainty,  excellent,  P.  168. 
Welsh,  dant,  a  tooth. 

Deyntee,  a  dainty,  a  pleasant 
rarity,  P.  346. 

Deys,  a  dais,  a  raised  platform  at 
the  end  of  the  hail  upon  which 
persons  of  distinction  were 
placed,  P.  370,  K.  1342.  Fr. 
dais;  cf.  Ger.  tisch. 

Diete,  food,  manner  of  living  — 
not  restricted  as  now  to  food, 
P.  435. 

Dight,  dressed,  arrayed,  K.  183. 
A.S.  dihfan,  to  set  in  order. 

Digne,  -worthy,  P.  141 ;  proud, 
disdainful,  P.  517 ;  noble,  K. 
1358.  Fr.  digne,  Lat.  digitus. 
Primary  meaning  is  ivortlu/;  then 
being  applied  to  great  or  noble 
men,  it  came  naturally  to  sig- 
nify that  which  was  peculiar  in 
their  bearing,  —  too  often  pride 
or  haughtiness. 

Diocese,  the  jurisdiction  of  a 
bishop,  P,  664.  Gr.  dLoiKelv,  to 
keep  house,  to  manage. 

Dischevele,  with  unbounded  hair. 
P.  683.     Fr.  de'cheveler. 

Disconfiture,  Disconfytyng,  de- 
feat, discomfiture,  K.  150,  1861. 

Disconfort,  discomfort,  K.  1152. 
Lat.  dis  conjojiis.  ' 

Disconforten,  to  sadden,  K.  1846. 

Discrecioun,  discretion,  K.  921. 
See  note. 

Discret,  discreet,  able  to  distin- 
guish matters  upon  examina- 
tion, P.  312.  Fr.  discret,  Lat. 
discernere,  to  separate. 

Disdayn,  disdain.  Fr.  de'dain, 
Lat.  dis  dignari. 


268 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


Dislieryt,  disinherited,  K.  2068. 
Lat.  haeres,  an  heir. 

Disjoynt,  disadvantage,  K.  2104. 
Lat.  disjunctus. 

Dispence,  expense,  profusion,  P. 
441,  K.  1024.  Fr.  depense,  Lat. 
dispensare.. 

Dispitous,  j)itiless,  P.  516.  Lat. 
dis  pietas. 

Dispitously,  pitilessly,  sternly, 
K.  266. 

Disport,  gayety,  sportiveness,  P. 
137  ;  sport,  diversion,  P.  775. 
O.Fr.  desport. 

Disposicioun,  arrangement  with 
regard  to  others,  K.  22y ;  men- 
tal traits,  K.  520.  Lat.  disponere, 
to  arrange. 

Distress,  restraint,  confinement, 
K.  595.  Fr.  detresse,  Lat.  dis- 
tringere,  to  bind  fast ;  cf .  dis- 
train. This  is  the  usual  force 
of  the  term  in  law. 

Divinis,  divines,  doctors  of  divin- 
ity, K.  465.  Lat.  divinus,  ap- 
pertaining to  the  deity. 

Divisioun,  distinction,  K.  922. 

Do  (n),  Doon  (pr.  dide,  dede,  p.p. 
do  {n),  doon,  3  pi.  pres.  don),  to 
do,  to  perform,  to  do  to,  P.  78, 
268,  K.  141;  to  cause  (aux.), 
P.  766,  768,  K.  84,  697,  1047. 
A.S.  don,  Ger.  ihun. 

Docked,  cut  short,  P.  590.  W. 
toe,  that  which  is  short  or  abrupt. 

Doctour,  a  teacher,  a  learned  per- 
son, a  doctor  of  medicine,  P. 
411.  Fr.  docteur,  Lat.  doctus, 
learned.  Literally  a  teacher, 
or  one  qualified  to  teach  ;  re- 
stricted in  common  use  to  hon- 
orary titles  and  to  those  licensed 
to  practise  medicine. 

Domb(e),  dumb,  P.  774.  A.S. 
duiab,  foolish,  mute  ;  Ger.  dumm, 
stupid;  cf.  A.S.  d/jni. 

Dome,  decision,  doom,  P.  323. 
A.S.  deman,  to  judge  ;  cf.  deem. 

Dominacioun,  control,  K.  1900. 
Lat.  doniinus. 

Dong,  dung,  manure,  P.  530. 
Originally  denoting  that  which 
is  wet,  —  allied  to  dag,  daggle. 


Dongeoun,  the  principal  tower  in 
a  castle,  —  a  dungeon  or  strong- 
hold, K.  199.  Lat.  doininus  ;  cf. 
Gael,  dun,  a  fortress ;  also  don- 
jon. 

Dormant,  fixed,  ready,  P.  353. 
Fr.  dormir,  Lat.  dormire,  to  sleep, 

—  hence  dormant  =  in  the  sleep- 
ing j)osture. 

Dorste  (pr.  oidar),  durst,  P.  227. 
A.S.  durran,  pr.  dorste. 

Doseyn,  a  dozen,  P.  578.  Fr. 
douzaine,  Lat.  daodecim. 

Double-wise,  duplicate,  similar, 
K.  480.      Wise  =  manner. 

Doute,  doubt,  fear,  P.  487.  Out 
ofdoute  =  without  doubt,  doubt- 
less, K.  283,  Lat.  dubitum,  from 
duo,  two. 

Douteles,  doubtless,  without 
doubt,  K.  973,  1809. 

Dowves,  doves,  K.  1104.  A.S. 
duva,  Ger.  taube.  Wedgwood 
suggests  from  its  habit  of  duck- 
ing the  head  (dufan,  to  dive), 
but  more  probably  formed  in 
imitation  of  its  note  —  as  is  so 
common  in  the  case  of  animals 

—  which  the  Ger.  taube  exactly 
represents. 

Dragges,  drugs,  P.  426,  O.Fr. 
dragee,  spices  ;  A.S.  drijge,  any 
thing  dried  or  aromatic. 

Draughte,  what  is  drawn,  what 
is  drunk  at  once,  a  swallow,  P. 
135,  382.  A.S.  droht,  from 
dragan,  to  draw. 

Drawe  (imp.  draweth),  to  draw, 
P.  835,  K.  1689;  to  bear  bur- 
dens, K.  558.  A.S.  dragan  ;  cf. 
drag,  dray ;  Lat.  trahere. 

Drede,  one  who  causes  dread,  P. 
1140. 

Drede  (n),  to  fear,  P.  660;  to 
doubt,  K.  735;  (actively)  to 
inspire  dread.     A.S.  draedan. 

Dredful,  full  of  dread,  stealthy, 
K.  621 ;  used  actively. 

Drenchyng,  drowning,  K.  1598. 
A.S.  drencan,  causative  of  drin- 
can,  to  drink. 

Dresse,  to  put  in  order,  arrange, 
P.   106,  K.   1736.     "And  the 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


269 


Lord  God  took  the  man  and  put 

him  into  the  garden  of  Eden  to 

dress  it,"  Gen.  ii.  15.    Fr.  dres- 

ser,  Lat.  dirigere. 
Dreye,  dry,  K.  21G6.     A.S.  drir/. 
Dronke  (n)  (p.p.  ot'drinke),  drmik, 

P.  135,  K.  403  ;  (pret.  pi.)  drank, 

P.   820.      A.S.    drincan,   dranc, 

druncen. 
Drope,  a  drop,  P.  131.  A.S.  dropa; 

cf.  drip,  dribble,  droop. 
DrougM,  drought,  P.  2,  595.  A.S. 

drugath,  from  dnjgan,  to  dry  up, 
Drowpede,  drooped,  P.  107.  A.S. 

dropian,  to  drop. 
Drugge,  to  drudge,  to  drag,  K.  558. 
Duchesse,  feminine  of  duke,  K. 

65.     Fr.  duchesse. 
Duete*,  reverence,  K.  2202  ;  cf.  Fr. 

devoir. 
Duk,  a  duke,  leader,  king,  K.  2. 

Lat.  dux,  from  ducere,  to  lead  ; 

now  denotes  the  highest  order 

of  nobility. 
Dure,   endure,   remain,    K.   378, 

1912.     Lat.  durare,  from  durus, 

hard,  therefore  lasthig. 
Dusken,  to  grow  dark,  to  become 

shaded,  K.  1948. 
Dwelle  (pr.  and  p.p.  dwehl),  to  tar- 
ry, to  remain,  K.  115,  370, 1496 ; 

cf.  A.S.  dwelian,  from  the  root 

dol,    dull    (immobile)  ;    so     also 

dwelling  =  delay. 
Dyamauntz,  diamonds,  K.  1289. 

See  Adamauntz. 
Dyapred,  wrought  in  flourishes, 

ornamented,  K.  1300 ;  see  note. 

O.Fr.    diaspre,    Lat.   jaspis,    a 

jasper. 
Dyched,  surmotinted  by  a  dike  or 

rampart,  K.  1030. 
Dyke,  to  ditch,  to  throw  up  a  dike, 

P.  536;  see  note.     A.S.  dician; 

cf.  Gr.  rnxoQ. 
Dym,  indistinct ;  used  with  refer- 
ence to  sight  and  hearing,  K. 

1575;  see  note.     A.S.  dim;  cf. 

Icel.  dumba,  darkness. 
Dys,  dice,  K.  380. 
Dyvynistre,  a  diviner,  K.  1953. 
Dyvynyng,  predicting,  K.  1657. 

Lat.  diviaatio. 


B. 

Ecclesiaste,  an  ecclesiastic,  P. 
708.  Gr.  eKK?ijjaia,  an  assembly 
of  citizens  called  out  by  the 
crier,  —  used  to  denote  the 
church  as  being  composed  of 
the  called  —  the  elect. 

Ecli(e),  each,  P.  39,  369.  AS. 
aelc,  ylc.  Formed  from  the 
weak  demonstrative,  as  O.E. 
thilke,  from  the  strong,  whilk 
(which),  from  the  interrogative, 
and  swilc  (such),  from  the  rel- 
ative, by  adding  the  sufiix  lie 
(body). 

Echon,  Echoon,  each  one,  P.  820. 

Eek,  also,  besides,  eke,  P.  5,  41, 
K.  314.  A.S.  eac,  eacan,  to  add, 
Ger.  auch. 

Eelde,  Eld,  age,  eld,  K.  1 589, 1590. 
A.S.  eald,  yld. 

Eeres,  Eras,  ears,  P.  556,  K.  664. 
A.S.  eare,  allied  to  the  verb  to 
hear. 

Eese,  Ese,  pleasure,  ease,  P.  768. 
Fr.  aise,  Lat.  otium,  leisure. 

Eet,  Et,  ate,  K.  1190.  A.S.  elan, 
pr.  aet,  p.p.  eten ;  Lat.  ed-ere; 
cf.  oat. 

Effect,  result,  K.  1624 ;  in  effecte, 
in  fact,  in  substance,  P.  319. 

Eft,  again,  afterwards,  nought  eft, 
not  again,  K.  811.     A.S.  aeft. 

Egle,  an  eagle,  K.  1320.  Fr.  aigle, 
Lat.  aquila. 

Elles,  else,  otherwise,  P.  375,  735. 
A.S.  elks,  Lat.  alius.  El  in  A.S. 
means  foreign ;  e.g.  el-land,  for- 
eign land. 

Embrowded,  embroidered,  P.  89. 
A.S.  bredan,  to  braid.  Original- 
ly denoting  a  rapid  movement, 
as  of  the  hands  in  braiding. 

Emforth,  to  the  extent  of,  accord- 
ing to,  K.  1377.  Literally  even- 
forth,  —  em  in  composition  sig- 
nifying equal,  as  em-cristen,  a 
fellow-christian. 

Empoisonyng,  poisoning,  K.  1602. 
Lat.  potio ;  cf.  Ger.  gif. 

Emprise,  enterprise,  undertaking, 
Iv.  1682,     Fr.  entre-prise. 


270 


OLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Encens,  incense,  K.  1571.     Lat. 

incendere,  to  burn. 
Encombred,   troubled,    P.    508; 

tired    (by   a   burden),   K.  860. 

Er.     encomhrer,    Ger.     kummer, 

trouble. 
Encrece,    to    increase,    K.    457. 

Lat.  crescere. 
Encres,  increase,  K.  1326. 
Ende,  extremity,  P.  1 5  ;  portion, 

what  pertains  to  one,  K.  986  ; 

conclusion,     arrangement,     K. 

1007.     A.S.  ende,  a  part. 
Endelong,   endwise,   lengthwise, 

K.  1133. 
Endite,  to  narrate,  relate,  P.  95 ; 

K.   522.      Fr.   enditer,   Lat.   in- 

dicere  ;  cf.  indict. 
Endure,  to  remain,  K.  327.     See 

Dure. 
Enfecte,  infected,  rendered  void 

by  bribery,  or  collusion,  P.  320. 
Engelond,  England,  P.  580.     Lit- 
erally Angel-land,  —  the  land  of 

tlie  Angles. 
Engendred,      engendered,      pro- 
duced, P.  5.     Lat.  in-gen-erare  ; 

cf.  kin. 
Enhaunse,   to   elevate,    K.    576. 

O.Er.  enhauncer,  Lat.  alte. 
Enhorte,  to  enhearten,  encourage, 

K.  1993  ;  cf.  dishearten. 
Enoynt,  anointed,  K.  2103. 
Ensample,  example,  P.  496.  Lat. 

exemplum.     Sample  retains    the 

old  form. 
Enspired,  breathed  into,  inspired, 

P.  6.    Lat.  inspirare. 
Entente,  intent,  purpose,  K.  142. 
Entuned,  intoned,  P.  123.     Lat. 

tonus;  cf.  tune,  tone. 
Envye,  envy,  K.  49.    Lat.  invidia. 
Envyned,  furnished   Avith   wine, 

P.  342.     line  is  from  the  Fr. 

vigne  ;  wine  is  A.S.  win. 
Eny,  any.     A.S.  aenig,  —  the  ad- 
jective form  of  one. 
Er,  before,  ere,  K.  182.     A.S.  aer. 
Erchedeknes,     (gen.)     archdea- 
con's, P.  658. 
Ere,  to  plough,  K.  28.  A.S.  earian ; 

cf.  Lat.  arare. 
Erles,  earls,  K.  1324.     A.S.  eorl, 


man,  noble ;    originally  a  title 

of  honor,  afterwards  denoting 

an  office,  and  now  again  a  title 

of  nobility. 
Erly,  Erely,  early,  P,  33,  809,  K. 

163.     A.S.  aerltce. 
Erst,  first,  before,  P.  776.     Erst 

than,    sooner   than,   before,   K. 

708.     Supl.  of  A.S.  ae/-. 
Erthe,  earth,  K.  388.    A.S.  eorthe, 

eard,  as  though  from  erian,  to 

till.     Ger.  erde. 
Eschaunge,    exchange,    P.    278. 

O  Fr.  exchange. 
Esen  (p.p.  eseil),  to  entertain,  put 

at  ease,  P.  29,  K.  1336. 
Esily,  easily,  P.  469.     Fr.   ais€; 

cf  A.S.  eathe,  easily. 
Espye,   to    see,  to    spy  out,    K. 

254 ;     cf.    Ger.    spdhen.      A.S. 

spi/rian,  to  track   (cf.   spur),  to 

seek  out.     O.E.  speer,  to  ask,  is 

undoubtedly  allied   to  spy,   al- 
though espy  is  immediately  from 

the  Er. 
Est,  east.    Literally  the  icy  region, 

according  to  Wedgwood. 
Estat,  condition,  state,  P.    522; 

great   estate,  high  condition,  P. 

203.     State  and  its  derivatives 

are  abbreviated  forms. 
Estatlich,  stately,   P.    140,    281. 

O.Er.  estat. 
Estres,  the   interior   parts  of    a 

building,    K.    1113.      Fr.   estre, 

state,  plan. 
Estward,  towards  the  east,  on  the 

east  side,  K.  1045,  1727. 
Esy,  easy,  easy  to  deal  with,  P. 

223  ;  moderate,  P.  441. 
Eterne,  eternal,  determined,  K. 

251.     Lat.  aevum. 
Evele,  badly,  evilly,  K.  269 ;  ful 

evele,  very  badly.     Goth,  ubils, 

Ger.  uhel. 
Evene,    medium  ;    evene    lengths, 

medium  height,  P.  83;     (adv.) 

in    a    self-possessed    manner, 

evenly,  K.  665.     A.S.  ae/en. 
Evensong,  vespers,  evening  ser- 
vice.    P.  830. 
Evere,  ever,  at  any  time,  P.  732. 

A.S.  aefer,  from  a,  always. 


OLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


271 


fiiveremo,  for  ever,  evermore,  K. 

174. 
Everich,       Everyche,      Every, 

every,  P.  2,  2il ;  each  of  tlieiu, 

P.  371  ;  eoerifch  a  {on),  each  one, 

every  one,  P.  31,  733,  747  ;  ht- 

erally,  ever-each-one. 
Everydel,  Everidel,   every  part, 

completely,  P.  368.     A.S.  duel, 

part. 
Ewe,  a  yew-tree,  K.  20G5.  ^ 
Exequies,  funeral  rites,  K.  135. 

Lat.  exeqniae. 
Exiled,  exiled;  K    386.     Lat.  ev 

and    solum,    away    from    one's 

native  land. 
Expert,  skilled,  experienced,  P. 

577.     Lat.  expertns. 
Eyhe  (n),  Eyen,  Ey^hen,  ye,  the 

eye,  eyes,  P.  10,  152,  201,  K. 

38.     A.S.  eaje,  pi.  eagen,   Ger. 

aiirie,  Lat.  oc-idus,  allied  to  edge ; 

cf  Lat.  acies. 
Eyle,  to  ail,  K.  223.     A.S.  egJian. 
Eyr,  air,  K.  388.     Fr.  air,   Lat. 

aer,  perhaps  from  aether. 


F. 

Faculte,  dignity,  ability,  K.  244. 

Lat.  facattas,    ability    to    do ; 

hence    also    the    character    or 

bearing  of  an  able  man. 
Fader  (gen.  sing,  fader,  fadres), 

father,  P.  100,  78i.    A.S.faeder. 

Allied  to  feed. 
Fadma,  fathoms.  K.  2058.     A.S. 

J'adhin,  an  embrace,  a  fathom  ; 

literally,  tlie  space  measured  by 

the  extended  arms. 
Fain,  Fayn,  glad,  K.  1579,  gladly, 

1^.  766.     A.S.  fiiefjn. 
Fair,  comp.  fiirere,  upright,  good, 

P.  754.     A.S.  faeger. 
Faire,  fairly,  well,  P.  94, 124,  273  ; 

openly,  K.  126. 
Fairnesse,   uprightness,  P.   519 ; 

beauty,  K.  240. 
Faldyng,  coarse  woollen  cloth,  P. 

391  ;  cf  ^f'k. 
Falle  (pr.  /?/(/),  p.p.  falle),  to  hap- 
pen, P.  ■  324,  K.  810  ;  betall,  P. 


585,  to  fall,  P.  131,  845,  K.  1808. 
A.ii.Jeallan,  pr.  /eo/ ;  (Jer.  fallen. 

Falwe,  pale,  yellow,  sallow,  K. 
606.  A.S.  fealuoe,  yellow,  Ger. 
falb ;  cf.  fallow. 

Famvilier,  familiar,  intimate,  P. 
215.  Yt.  familier,  Lat.  famulus,  a 
servant ;  famiUa,  a  retinue  of 
servants. 

Fare,  affair,  K.  951.  A.S.  faer] 
literally  a  journey,  from  faran, 
to  go;  cf.  jjioceeding,  and  Ger. 
ver-fahren. 

Fare  (n)  (pres.  pi.  faren,  p.p. 
fare  {n),  to  fare,  to  go,  K.  403, 
637,  1578.  A.S.  Jaran,  Ger. 
fahren;  cf.  welfare,  farewell. 

Farsed,  stuffed,  P.  233.  Fr./ar- 
cir,  Lat.  farclre  ;  cf.  forced  meat. 

Farwel,  farewell,  K.  392,  1496. 
A.S.  /(?ra/i,  an  imperative. 

Faste,  used  for  emphasis,  /c^sfe  hy, 
close  by,  near,  P.  719;  see  note, 
K.  618. 

Fayn.     See  Fain. 

Feble,  unstrung,  weak,  K.  511. 
O.Fr.  feble,  Fr.  faible. 

Fee,  money,  reward,  P.  317  ;  see 
note,  K.  945.  A.S.fooh,  cattle, 
Ger.  vieh ;  cf.  Lat.  pecunia,  from 
pecus.  Fee  si/mple,  full  possession, 
P.  319  ;  see  note.  The  develop- 
ment of  meanings  may  have 
been  as  follows  :  (1)  cattle  ;  (2) 
property  (proy9/-/(f»j)  ;  hence,  (3) 
possession,  or  the  right  of  pos- 
session ;  cf.  also  peculium,  pecu- 
latio. 

Feeld.  Feld,  field,  country,  (op- 
posed to  town),  K.  28,  664.  In 
heraldry,  the  surface  of  a  shield 
upon  which  armorial  designs 
were  blazoned  ;  that  part  of  a 
banner  upon  which  the  peculiar 
device  is  wrought,  K.  119.  A.S. 
feld. 

Feere,fear,K.  1486.  Allied  to  A.S. 
faran  ;  cf.  Ger.  ijefahr,  O.E.  ferly. 

Feith,  faith,  P.  62.  Fr.  fol,  Lat 
fdes. 

Fel,  Felle,  cruel,  fell,  fierce,  K. 
701,  1772.     A.S../;//. 

Felawe,    companion,     395,    648. 


272 


OLOSSAEIAL   INDEX. 


From/e",  money,  goods,  and  lar/, 

order,  society,  community ;  cf. 

A.S.  geferratden,  O.E.  Jeol  aw  red- 
den. 
Felawschipe, fellowship,?.  26, 32. 
Feld.     See  Feeld. 
Felicite,  happiness,  P.  337.     Lat. 

fe/ix. 
Felle  (p.p.  fdd),  to  cut  down,  to 

fell  timber,  K.  844,  2066.     A.S. 

fellan,   causative  of  feallan,    to 

fall ;  Ger.  J  alien. 
Feile,  fierce,  K.  701.     See  Fel. 
Felonye,  high  crime  ;  literally  a 

crime  punishable  with  forfeiture 

of  goods  {fee),  K.  1138. 
Femynye,   the   Amazons,   K.   8. 

J^^t.femina,  A.S.  faemne. 
Fer  (comp.  ferre.  fer ,^\x^\.  ferreste) , 

far,  P.  388,  491  (comp.)  further, 

more,  K.  992.     A.S.  fer  as,  as 

soon  as,  K.  790. 
Ferde    (pi.     ferden),    proceeded, 

acted,  K.  514,  789.     A.S.feran, 

to  go. 
Fere,  fear,  K.  475.     A.S.  fner. 
Ferforthly,  according  to,  K.  102 ; 

liternWy,  far  forth-like. 
Fermacye,  a  medicine,  K.  1855. 
Ferne,  distant,  P.  14.  O.li.ferren, 

A.S.  fearn,  from,  fer,  far;  Ger. 
fern. 
Ferre,  Fer,  further,  more,  P.  48, 

K.  1202. 
Ferreste,  furthest,  P.  494. 
Fers,  fierce,  K.  740.      Lat.  ferox, 

ferns,  a  wild  beast. 
Farthing,  a  fourth  part,  a  small 

portion,  P.  134,  255.     Literally, 

a  fourfh-inr/ ;  cf.  fir-kin. 
Fast  (a),  a  feast,  a  festival,  K.  25, 

1625.     Fr.fete,  Lat.  festum. 
Fasta,  to  feast,  K.  1335. 
Fastne,  to  fasten,   P.   195.      To 

make  fast ;  cf.  Ger.  fassen. 
Fat     (pr.     of     fecche,     brought, 

fetched),  P.  8l9,  K.  1669.     A.S. 

fetian,  pr.  fette. 
Father,  a  feather,  P.  107.    A.S. 
fether,  Ger.  feder,  allied  to  Gr. 

TTTspov,  akin  to  fli/. 
Fettras,  fetters,   K.  421.     From 

foot. ;  cf .  Gr.  TTsdr]. 
Fatys,  elegant,  neat,  P.  157.     Fr. 


fait,  Lat.  factus  ;  cf  Eng.  feat, 
a  noun. 

Fetysly,  properly,  neatly,  P.  124. 

Fay,  laith,  K.  268.  Fr.  foi,  Lat. 
Jides. 

Feyne  (pr.  p.p.  fej/nede),  to  feign, 
to  pretend,  P.  705,  736.  Lat. 
fnvjere. 

Fiers,  fierce,  K.  1087.     J^:it.  ferox. 

Figure,  a  conception  represented 
in  material  form  ;  a  method  of 
speech  thus  representing  a  con- 
ception, P.  499.  In  astrology 
a  representation  or  chart  show- 
ing the  position  of  the  planets 
at  one's  birth,  K.  1177.  Lat. 
Jingere,  to  give  form  to. 

Fil,  Filla  (pi.  fiJien,  pr.  of  falle), 
fell. 

Fir,  Fyr,  fire,  K.  644,  2093.  A.S. 
fijr,  Ger.   feaer,  Gr.  T:vp. 

Fithel,  a  fiddle,  P.  296 ;  cf  Ger. 
fitsctielu,  to  move  to  and  fro. 

Fleeta,  Fleta,  to  float,  swim,  K. 
1539.  A.S.feotan;  cf. fleet,  float. 

Flaisscha,  Flaissh,  meat,  flesh,  P. 
147,  344.  A.S.flaesc,  Ger. fleisch. 

Flan,  to  flee,  to  escape,  K.  312. 
A.S.  feon. 

Flatyng,  swimming,  floating,  K. 
1098. 

Flikeryng,  fluttering,  K.  1104. 
A.S.  fiiccerian. 

Flok,  a  flock,  P.  824.  A.S.  floe. 
Perhaps  by  metathesis  for  folc. 

Floren,  a  florin,  K.  1230.  A  coin 
so  named  from  the  city  Flor- 
ence ;  cf .  bezant  from  Byzan- 
tium. 

Fiotery,  slovenly,  fluttered,  K. 
2025  ;  cf .  Ger.  fagende  haare, 
dishevelled  hair. 

Flour,  a  flower,  P.  4,  90,  K.  124. 
Fr.  flenr,  Lat.  flos. 

Floytynga,  playing  on  a  flute, 
whistling,  P.  91.     Lint.  flatus. 

Folde:  (1)  an  enclosure;  (2)  that 
which  is  enclosed,  P.  512.  A.S. 
fealdan,  to  fold  up,  to  wrap. 

Folk,  people,  P.  25.  A.S.  folc, 
Ger.  volk,  Lat.  vulgus ;  cf .  flock. 

Folwa  (pr.  p.p.  folwede),  to  follow, 
P.  528,  K.  1824.  A.S.  fohfian, 
Ger.  fohjen. 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


273 


Folwynge,  following,  K.  1509. 

Folye,  folly,  K.  940.  Fr.  folie. 
Allied  to  fail. 

Feme,  foam,  K.  801.  A.S.  fnoni, 
/(tin;  cf.  Ger.  fldum,  what  will 
Jlodt ;  cf.  fowl,  from  fljj. 

Fo  (o),  a  foe,  an  enemy,  P.  63, 
K.  732.  A.S.  fogan,  fan,  to 
hate ;  cf.  fend  =  one  hated. 

For,  as  regards,  as  to,  P.  142, 
387;  because,  because  of,  P. 
2G4,  443,  K.  5G2,  930 ;  for  al, 
notwithstanding,  K.  11G2;  for 
al  the  world,  in  spite  of,  K.  514 ; 
for  emj  tldnge,  by  all  means,  P. 
27G,  for  fear  of.  The  original 
meaning  of /or  is  in  front  of  {he- 
fore,  fore,  Lat.  pro),  hence  the 
ideas  of  (1)  opposition;  (2)  pro- 
tection; (3)  comparison;  (4) 
attention.  Also  intensive  and 
negative  prefix.     Ger.  ver. 

Forbere,  to  forbear,  K.  27.     A.S. 
forheran.  For  =  negative  prefix, 
Ger.  ver ;  cf.  forqive,  forqet. 

For  blak,  very  black,  K.  1286. 

Fordo  (p.p.  /o/t/o),  to  ruin,  to  undo, 
K. 702.  A.S.fordon,  Ger.  verthun. 

Forest,  unsettled  country,  forest, 

K.    1117.      O.Fr.    forest,    Ger. 

forst,   Lat.  foris,  out  of  doors, 

denoting  tb.e  country  without 

the  enclosure  of  towns. 

Forgete  (p.p.  forqetin),  to  forget, 
K.  2196.  A.S.  forfitan,  Ger. 
verqesisen. 

Forgive,  to  forgive,  P.  743.    A.S. 
for f fan,  Ger.  vergehen ;  cf.  Low. 
Lat.  pei'-donare,  Fr.  pardunner. 

Forheed,  forehead,  P.  151.  A.S. 
fore-heafod. 

Forme,  form,  proper  form,  in 
forme,  properlj',  formally,  P.  305. 

Forneys,  a  furnace,  P.  202.  Lat. 
fo7iiax. 

For  old,  very  old,  K.  1284  ;  cf. 
Ger.  vendten. 

Forpyned,  wasted  away,  P.  205. 
A.S.  piiKin,  to  pine,  from  pin 
pain.  For  is  here  intensive. 
Pain  is  from  Fr.  peine,  Lat. 
poena  ;  though  A.S.  pinan  is  no 
doubt  allied. 


Fors,  force,  K.  1865.     Lat.  foi-tis. 

Forster,  a  forester,  P.  117. 

Forth,  henceforth ;  with  verbs  of 
motion,  on ;  K.  804. 

Forther,  comp.  of  fore,  further, 
P.  36,  835.     A.S.  farthra. 

Forthermoor,  further  on,  further- 
more, K.  1211 ;  ct  fortherlij ,  for- 
wards. 

Forthren,  to  aid,  to  further,  K, 
279.  A.S.  fijrthrian,  Ger. fordern. 

Forth  telle,  to  tell  on,  to  con- 
tinue a  story,  K.  478. 

Forthi,  for  this,  therefore,  K.  983. 
Thi  is  instrumental  of  that ;  cf. 
O.E.  for-why. 

Fortunen,  to  make  fortunate,  to 
determine  one's  fortune,  P.  417. 
Lat.  fors. 

Forward,  a  promise,  an  agree- 
ment, P.  33,  829,  K.  351,  1761. 
A.S.foreicord,  a  word  given  be- 
forehand. 

Fother,  a  wagon  load,  P.  630 ;  a 
large  mass  or  sum,  K.  1050. 
A.S.  fother,  Ger.  fader. 

Foughten  (pr.  and  p.p.)  fought, 
K.  841,  P.  62.  A.S.  feohtan, 
feaht,  fohten. 

Foul,  P.  501.  A.S.ful,  Goi\\.  fids, 
Ger.  faul ;  cf.  flth.  The  prim- 
itive meaning  seems  to  have 
been  putrid. 

Founden,  p.p.  found,  K.  754. 

Foundre,  to  fall  down,  K.  1829. 
O.Fr.  fondrer,  to  sink. 

Fourtenight,  a  fortnight,  K.  71. 
Fourteen-nights. 

Fowel  (pi.  fowles),  a  bird,  a  fowl, 
P.  9,  106.  A.S.  fiigol  (ftigol, 
from  fleogan,  to  fly),  Ger.  vogel, 
Fr.  volaille. 

Foyne  (n),  to  make  a  stroke  with 
a  sword  or  spear,  K.  796,  1692. 
O.Fr.  foigner. 

Frankelyn,  a  free-holder,  country 
gentleman,  P.  216.  Properly 
tlie  son  of  a  vilein  who  has  be- 
come rich  and  purcliased  his 
fi'eedom.     Frank  =  free. 

Fre,  free,  P.  852.  A.S.  freoh, 
Goth,  frija;  cf.  Goth,  frijon,  to 
love,  Ger.  frei. 


iS 


274 


OLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Fredom,  liberality,  freerlom,  P. 
46.  A.S.  doin  =  condition,  Gf"* 
thuyji. 

Freknes,  freckles,  K.  1311  ;  cf. 
Ger.Jieck;  a  spot. 

Frend,  Freend,  a  friend,  P.  299, 
670,  K.  610.  A.S.  freond,  from 
freon;  Ger.freuud,  Goth.  J'rijuii, 
to  love.     Free  is  allied. 

Frere,  a  friar,  P.  208.  Pr.  fiere, 
Lat.  frafer. 

Fresslie,  Freissh,  Freisch,  fresh, 
P.  90 ;  see  note  ;  freslily,  newly, 
K.  190.  A.S.  fersc;  cf  brisk, 
frisk,  Ger.  frisch,  Fr.  frais. 

Frete  (n)  (p!p.  />e/e/<),  to  devour, 
to  eat  up,  K.  1169.  A.S.fretan, 
En  a;,  fret,  Ger.  fressen. 

Fro,  from,  P.  324,  K.  213.     A.S. 
fra  ;    cf.    "  to    and    fro,"  for- 
irard. 

Frothsn,  to  froth,  foam,  K.  801. 
A.^.  frcothan,  to  Yuh,  —  ellectfor 
cause. 

Fruyt,  advantage,  enjoyment, 
fruit,  K.  424.  Lat.  fractus,  from 
frui,  to  enjoy. 

Ful,  fullv,  completely,  very,  P. 
22,  47, "130.     From,////. 

Fulfille,  p.p.  fiilfihl,  to  fill  full,  to 
gratify,  to  'satiate,  K.  82,  460. 
A.^.fiil-flllldn. 

Funeral,  burial,  funeral  service, 
K.  2006.  Lat.  fnneralia,  rites 
appertaining  to  the  burial  of 
the  dead. 

Fusty  an,  a  coarse  clotli,  P.  75. 
So  called  from  Fostat  or  Fossat 
(Cairo),  the  place  of  its  man- 
ufacture ;  now  used  to  denote 
pretentious  speech  ;  cf.  bombast, 
from  bombazine,  cotton  cloth. 

Fyfe,  five,  P.  460.  A.S  ff,  Ger. 
Junf,  Lat.  penfe,  Gr.  Trh'Te. 

Fyled,  cut,  filed,  K.  1294. 

Fynde,  to  invent,  1^.  736,  to  pro- 
vide, Ko  1555.  A.S.  Jiudan,  Ger. 
Jinden. 

Fynger  (pi.  Jinrjrcs),  a  finger,  P. 
129.  A.S.  finger,  from  famjan, 
to  seize  ;  d.  fang. 

Fyr,  a  funeral  fire,  a  pyre,  K. 
2056  ;  fire,  K.  2084. 

Fyr-reed,  red  as  fire,  P.  624. 


Gader  (p.p  gadrede),  to  gather,  P. 
824.     A.S.  (/aderian. 

Gaf  (pr.  of  gi re),  gave,  P.  227. 

Galyngale,  sweet  cyperus,  P.  38L 

Game,  sport,  pleasure,  K.  948, 
1250.     A.S.  game  ;  cf.  gamester. 

Gamede  (impersonal),  pleased, 
P.  534.  A.S.  gamenian,  to  sport. 
The  noun  retains  its  original 
signification,  while  the  verb  de- 
notes plai/  in  the  sense  of  gam- 
b/i)ig. 

Gan  (v.  aux  ),  did  ;  gan  preye,  did 
pray,  prayed,  P.  301  ;  gan  espye, 
did  espy,  K.  254  ;  gan  km/tte, 
knitted,  K.270;  began,  K.  682. 
See  Bigan. 

Gappe,  an  opening,  a  gap,  K. 
781.  A.S.  geapan,  to  gape,  to 
open.  An  opening  in  a  range 
of  mountains,  or  in  a  fence,  is 
colloquially  called  a  gap. 

Gapyng,  gapmg,  Avith  the  mouth 
wide  open,  Iv.  1150. 

Gardeyn,  a  garden,  an  enclosed 
place,  a  yard,  K.  193.  AS. 
griird;  see  note,  P.  149;  cf.ijard. 

Garleek,  garlic,  P.  634.  "A.S. 
gar,  a  spear,  leac,  a  plant ;  cf. 
gar-\vAs.e,  hemlock. 

Gastly,  terrible,  K.  1126;  cf. 
aghast.  Goth,  geisan,  to  terrify, 
gaze.     So  also  gaste,  to  terrify. 

Gat  (pr.  of  get),  obtained,  gat,  P. 
703.     A.S.  gitan,  pr.  geat^if 

Gate,  a  gate,  a  passage-way,  K. 
557.  A.S.  qeat,  probably  from 
geotan,  to  pour  out ;  cf .  Hell- 
gate. 

Gat-tothed,  having  teeth  wide 
apart,  P.  468. 

Gauded,  ornamented,  fitted  with 
gandes  or  large  beads,  P.  159, 
see  note;  cf.  gaudy,  Lat.  gaudi- 
iim. 

Gaude-greene,  light  green,  K. 
1221. 

Gavides,  large  beads  on  a  rosary 
indicating  a  pater  nostcr,  P.  159. 

Gay,  fast,  active,  P.  74  ;  cf  Ger. 
jcthe,  hasty  ;  ornamented,  P. 
111.     Fr.  qai. 


OLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


275 


Gayler,  jailer,  gaoler,  K.  206. 
Irish  (/((h/ia'il,  to  take  prisoner. 

Gayne  (n),  to  avail,  K.  818.  AS. 
fjegn  ;  of.  gijiKin,  to  gain.  From 
the  idea  of  opposition  comes 
tlip  idea  of  juxtaposition,  and 
hence  the  idea  of  addition.  So 
also  with. 

Geere,  Ger  (e),  articles  for  use, 
—  particularly  clothing  and 
weapons,  P.  352,  865,  K.  158, 
1322  ;  external  appearance,  de- 
meanor, K.  514.  A.S.  r/earwa, 
clothing,  preparation,  from //ear- 
ician,  to  make  ready;  cf.  JE.E. 
yare,  ready, 

Gentil,  noble,  well-bred,  P.  72, 
567,  669,  K.  1681;  affable,  lib- 
eral, P.  617.  Lat.  (jenfi/is,  from 
(JP71S.  The  following  may  have 
been  the  order  of  development: 
(1)  high-born;  (2)  with  the 
manners  of  those  high-born, 
genteel ;  (3)  with  the  mental 
qualities  of  the  high-born,  gen- 
tle ;  (i)  by  analogy  applied  to 
things. 

Gentilnesse,  nobility  ;  hence  also 
the  mental  traits  which  should 
distinguish  the  well-bred,  gen- 
tleness, gentilit}^  K.  62. 

Ger  (e).     See  Geere. 

Gerdel,  a  girdle,  P.  358.  Ger. 
giirfel,  Goth,  gairda,  allied  to 
ij(ird,  an  inclosure. 

Gerful,  changeful,  K.  680.  Lat. 
gi/rare. 

Garland,  a  garland,  K.  196. 
Primitive  meaning  =  an  orna- 
ment ;  allied  to  gallant ;  Fr.  guir- 
lunde. 

Garner,  a  garner,  granary,  P.  593. 
Fr.  grenier,  Lat.  granarium. 

Gary,  changeable,  K.  678.  Fr. 
girer,  Lat.  ggrare. 

Gasse,  to  think,  suppose,  P.  82, 
118.  A  frequentative  from 
O.N.  qeta,  to  get. 

Get,  fashion,  P.  682.  O.Fr.  get, 
contrivance.  We  use  get-up  in 
this  sense. 

Gate  (n)  (pr.  //a/,  p  p.  geten),  to 
get,  acquire,  P.  291 ;  to  keep 


possession  of  (cf.  Lat.  obtinere), 

K.  1897.     A.S.gitan,  geat,  geten. 
Giggyng,  making  ready,  moving 

quickly,  K.  1646. 
Gila,  guile,  deceit,  K.  1738.    A.S. 

idle,    Eng.   wiles,  wilij.     Where 

the  same  word  is  spelled  with  w  ' 

and  gii.  it  indicates  a  Teutonic 

word    which    has   come    to    us 

through  both  the  A.S.  and  the 

Fr. 
Giltales,  free  from  blame,  guilt- 
less, K.  454.       9 
Gipoun,  a  short  frock  or  cassock, 

P.  75.     Fr.  gipon  ;  cf .  jumper,  a 

jacket. 
Gipser,  a  purse,  P.  357.     Fr.  gib- 

heciere,  a  pouch,  gihhe,  a  bunch. 
Gird,  p.p.  girded,  P.  329. 
Girt,  pierced ;    thurg-girt,  pierced 

through,    K.    152.      From    the 

notion   of  striking  implied    in 

A.S.  ggrd,  a  rod. 
Gladen,  to  cheer,  to  make  glad, 

K.  1917.    AUied  to  glitter,  "And 

oil  to  make  his  /ace  to  shine," 

Ps.  civ.  15. 
Gladere,  one  who  makes  glad,  K. 

1365. 
Glarjmg,    staring,    P.    684:    (1) 

shining;  (2)  evident ;  (3)  large, 

easily    seen.     Allied     to  Lat. 

clarus,  gloria,  Eng.  glare. 
Glas,  gray  amber  or  ambergris, 

P.  152;  any  thing  made  of  glass, 

a  glass  case,  P.  700.    A.S.glaes. 

From  the  root  glare,  glow;  cf. 

Ger.  gleissen,  to  shine. 
Gleede,  a  burning  coal,  K.  1139. 

A.S.  gled,  from glowan,  to  glow; 

Ger.  gliihen. 
Glowan    (p.    glowede),    to   glow, 

shine,  K.  1274. 
Go  (n),  Goon  (pres.  sing.  70^^,  pi. 

go»,  goon,   p.p.   qo   (n),  goon),  to 

walk,  to  go,  K."598,  P.  771,  K. 

668,  2164,  P.  377,  450,  K.  1394. 

A.S.  gan  [gangan],  p.p.  gangen. 
Gobet,   a    small    piece,    P.    696. 

O.Fr.   go}),  a  morsel.      Still  in 

colloquial  use. 
Godhede,  divinity,  godhead,  K. 

1523  ;  cf .  mgrn-hood. 


276 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Golyardeys,  a  buffoon,  a  glutton, 
P.  560. 

Gonne,  pi.  of  gan  (q.v.),  began, 
K.  800;  did  (v.  aiix.),  K.  1021. 

Good,  goods,  property,  P.  581. 
A.S.  r/od  (s.  &  pi.)  ;  Lat.  bona, 
Gr.  ayadu,  are  all  used  similarly. 

Good  (e),g0()d,  P.  850.  A.S.//oc7, 
Goth,  goths,  Gr.  uyaOog,  Ger. 
gut.  The  resemblance  between 
good  and  God  is  probably  only 
accidental. 

Goost,  a  ghostf  spirit,  P.  206  ; 
see  note.  A.S.  gasl ;  cf.  gaze, 
to  terrify  ;  Ger.  qeist,  a  spirit. 

Goot,  a  goat,  P.  688.     A.S.  gat. 

Gooth,  goeth,  goes,  K.  213. 

Gospel,  the  gospel,  P.  481.  A.S. 
god-spell,  good  tidings ;  cf.  Gr. 
svay-yeXcov. 

Goime,  Gowne,  a  gown,  P.  93, 
301.  W.  givn;  cf.  Nor.  Fr. 
goune,  It.  gonna. 

Governaunce,  management,  con- 
trol. P.  281,  K.  455. 

Governynge,  control,  P.  599.  See 
note. 

Grace,  favor,  P.  88,  K.  262 ;  gift, 
P.  573.  Lat.  gratia,  that  given 
without  return ;  cf.  gratis. 

Graunte,  a  grant,  concession, 
favor,  K.  448. 

Graunte,  to  grant,  to  promise,  P. 
786,  K.  762.  Fr.  granter,  ere- 
outer.  The  two  meanings  have 
different  origin. 

Grauntyng,  permission,  K.  1581. 

Gree,  a  prize,  K.  1875.  Fr.  gre, 
Lat.  gratum. 

Greece,  grease,  P.  135.  Fr. 
graisse,  Lat.  crassus. 

Greene,  Grene,  green,  P.  103. 
A.S.  grene,  from  growan,  to 
grow  ;  hence  the  color  of  grow- 
ing plants  ;  metaphorically  ap- 
plied to  persons  to  denote  im- 
maturity ;  cf.  Lat.  viridis,  from 
virei'e. 

Grene,  growth,  prosnerity,  K. 
654. 

Gret,  Greet  (def.  and  pi.  grete, 
grette,  comp.  grettere  ;  supl.  gret- 
teste),  great,  superior,  P.  84, 137; 


(comp.)  P.  197,  (supl.)  P.  120. 
A.S.  great  ;  cf.  Ger.  gross. 

Greve,  a  grove,  pi.  brandies,  K. 
637,  649.  A.S.  graef,  from 
grafan,  to  cut.  So  grove  is  used 
in  scripture  for  a  graven  image, 
a  statute  ;  cf.  grave,  grub. 

Greve,  to  grieve,  K.  59.  Lat. 
gravare,  to  oi)press. 

Greye,  gray,  P.  152.  A.S-  graeg, 
Ger.  grau ;  cf.  Gr.  ypala,  an  old 
woman.  "  The  original  mean- 
ing is  probably  parti-colored," 
Wedgwood. 

Greyn,  grain,  crops  of  grain,  P. 
596.     Lat.  granum. 

Griffoun,  a  griffin,  —  a  mythologi- 
cal animal,  a  lion  with  an  eagle's 
head,  wings,  and  talons,  K.  1275. 

Grisly,  dreadful,  K.  505.  A.S. 
grisJic,  from  qrisan,  to  dread. 

Grope,  to  try,'test,  P.  644.  A.S. 
grapian,  to  feel  with  the  hand. 
Ger.  greifen ;  cf.  grab,  grabble, 
garble,  grip,  gripe,  grapple,  grasp, 
&c. 

Groynyng,  stabbing,  K.  1602. 
See  note. 

Grueche,  to  murmur,  grudge,  K. 
2187.     Fr.  groucher,  to  rumble. 

Gruf,  flat  on  the  ground,  K.  91. 
See  note  ;  cf.  grovel. 

Grym,  Grim,  fierce,  terril)le,  gritn, 
K.  1184.  A.S.  grim ,  from  grim- 
man,  to  rage  ;  cf.  grnm. 

Grys,  fur  of  the  Siherian  squirrel, 
P.  194.     Fr.  gris,  gray. 

Guide,  the  marigold,  K.  1071. 
Mary's  flower. 

Gulty,  guilty,  P.  660.  A.S.  gglt, 
crime,  —  that  which  must  be 
atoned  for,  from  gijldan,  to  pay, 
— crimes  being  usually  punished 
by  fine  ;  hence  guilt  would  sig- 
nify :  (1)  the  money  paid  as  a 
fine  (cf.  Ger. gelt)  ;  (2)  the  crime 
thus  atoned  for ;  (3)  an  expos- 
ure to  legal  penalty. 

Gurles,  young  people  of  either 
sex,  P.  664.     See  note. 

Gyde,  a  guide,  P.  804.  A.S.  and 
Goth,  ivitan,  to  watch  over ; 
Ger.  weisen. 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


277 


Gye,  to  guide,  turn,  K.  1092.  Fr. 
yuidcr,  —  the  same  word  as 
guide;  cf.  g'ii/-r()pe.     See  supra. 

Gylt,  guilt,  k.'  907.     See  Gulty. 

Gyngelen,  to  jingle,  P.  170;  cf. 
Ger.  kUngeln. 

Gynne,  to  begin,  K.  2160. 

Gyse,  fashion,  manner,  (juise,  cus- 
tom, K.  135,  350.  Fr.  yaise, 
Eng.  wise,  Ger.  iveise. 

H. 

Haberdasher,  a  dealer  in  miscel- 
laneous articles,  P.  361.  See 
note. 

Habergeoun,  Habergoun,  a  small 
coat  of  mail,  P.  76,  K.  1261. 
A.S.  heals,  neck,  beorge,  protec- 
tion ;  Ger.  haUherg. 

Habyt,  physical  temperament, 
habit  of  body  ;  also  customary 
appearance,  dress,  K.  520.  Fr. 
habit,  Lat.  habitus. 

Hadde,  Hade,  had,  P.  554.  Syn- 
copated form  of  haved. 

Hakke,  to  cut  up,  to  cut  with 
many  strokes,  K.  2007.  A.S. 
hnccan  ;  cf.  hatchet ;  Fr.  hacher, 
to  mince  ;  Eng.  hash. 

Haifa  (adv.),  half,  P.  8.  A.S. 
hea/fe,  Ger.  halb.     See  note. 

Halwes,  shrines,  saints,  P.  14. 
A.S.  haliq,  holy,  Eng.  hallow. 
So  AU-hallow-eve  =  All-saints- 
eve. 

Hamer,  a  hammer,  K.  1650.  A.S. 
hamor. 

Han,  to  have,  P.  878.  A  syn- 
copated form  oH haven  (inf.). 

Happe,  to  happen,  P.  585.  Hap, 
luck  ;  cf.  hapi»/,  mishap,  ])erhaps. 

Harde,  firm,  strong,  K.  1277. 
A.S.  heard,  Ger.  hart,  Goth. 
hardus,  Gr.  mprog  :  ( 1 )  what  is 
firm  or  strong;  (2)  wliat  may 
be  relied  on  ;  (cf.  hard//). 

Hardily,  certainly,  P.  156. 

Hardy,  bold,  daring,  P.  405,  K. 
853 ;  literally,  strong.  See  Har- 
de.    Fr.  hardi,  A.S.  heard,  bold. 

Hardynesse,  boldness,  K.  1090. 
The  idea  of  rashness  is  now  as- 


sociated with  this  word,  ?iS  fool- 
hardiness,  hardihood. 

Haried,  imrried,  taken  prisoner, 
K.  1868.  A.S.  heriau,  Fr.harier. 
The  origin  may  be  Fr.  harer,  to 
set  on  a  dog. 

Harlot,  a  youth,  P.  617 ;  later 
denoting:  (l)a  person  of  low 
birth,  or  one  engaged  in  menial 
service  ;  (2)  a  person  of  bad 
conduct,  especially  a  woman  of 
bad  character.  It  originally 
signified  a  young  man.  W.  her- 
lod,  a  youth ;  cf.  Lat.  adulter  = 
adult. 

Harlotries,  youthful  pranks,  rib- 
aldries, P.  561. 

Harrae,  harm,  evil,  misfortune, 
calamity,  K.  401,  1371.  A.S. 
hearm,  Ger.  harm ;  allied  to  gram. 

Harnays,  Harneys,  Herneys, 
armor,  harness,  K.  148,  755, 
1282.  Fr.  harnais,  Ger.  hamisch. 
Probably  allied  to  iron,  although 
Wedgwood  suggests  a  different 
derivation.  It  denotes:  (l)iron 
armor  worn  by  men;  (2)  the 
armor  worn  by  horses  ;  (3)  the 
usual  equipment  of  a  horse  ; 
(4)  that  which  serves  the  j)ur- 
pose  of  equipment. 

Harneysed,  equipped,  hung  by 
straps,  P.  114. 

Harpyng,  harping,  P.  266.  A.S. 
hearpe,  Ger.  harfe.  Named  from 
tlie  manner  of  playing  it  with  a 
hook  to  pick  the  strings.  So 
Gr.  upTTi],  a  hook. 

Harre,  a  hinge,  P.  550.  A.S. 
heorra. 

Hauberk,  a  coat  of  mail,  K.  1573. 
See  Habergeon. 

Hauke,  a  hawk,  falcon,  K.  1346. 
A.S.  ha/oc,  from  hebban  (p.p. 
ha  fen),  to  lift;  cf.  havoc. 

Haunt,  skill,  practice,  P.  447.  Fr. 
hanter,  to  haunt. 

Hawthorn,  hedge-thorn,  haw- 
thorn, K.  650.  A.S.  haga-thorn, 
Ger.  har/edorn. 

Hede,  Heed,  head,  P.  198,  455, 
551.  A.S.  heafod,  from  hebban, 
to  raise  up. 


278 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


Heeld,  held,  P.  337.     A.S.  heal- 

dan,  pr.  heold,  p.p.  healden. 
Heep,  a  large  number,  a  large 
amount,  P.  575.  '  A.S.  heap,  a 
heap,  legion,  or  company.  Still 
so  used  in  Southern  States. 
Ger.  haufe. 

Hear,  hair,  P.  589,  K.  191.  A.S. 
haer,  Ger.  haar. 

Heete,  to  promise,  grant,  K.  1510. 
A.S.  hatan;  of.  best,  behest. 

Heath,  the  open  country,  a  heath, 
P.  6.  A.S.  haetli,  Ger.  heide, 
whence  heathen,  hoijden  =  rus- 
tic. 

Heigh,  Heih,  high,  great,  K.  207, 
910  ;  hei(/her  hand,  upper  hand, 
superior,  P.  398.  A.S.  heah, 
Ger.  hoch. 

Hale,  well-being,  health,  K.  413. 
A.S.  hael,  hale,  whole;  Ger.  heil. 

Hala,  to  heal,  K.  1848.  A.S. 
haelan,  to  heal,  to  make  whole; 
Ger.  heil  en. 

Halla,  hell,  the  unseen  world,  the 
place  of  punishment,  P.  G58,  K. 
342.  A.S.  lielan,  to  conceal : 
hence,  literally,  (1)  the  place 
where  the  body  is  concealed,  — 
the  grave  ;  (2)  the  place  where 
the  spirit  is  concealed,  —  hades ; 
(3)  the  place  of  future  punish- 
ment.    Ger.  Jiolle. 

Helmas,  helmets,  K.  1751.  A.S. 
helm,  from  helan,  to  hide. 

Halpen  (pr.  halp,  p.p.  holpen),  to 
lieln,  to  cure,  when  followed  by 
of,  P.  18,  632.     A.S.  heli>a7i. 

Ham,  them,  P.  11,  18.     A.S.  him. 

Hemself  (Hemsalvan),  them- 
selves, K.  39G. 

Hang  (pr.  oihonge),  hung,  P.  160, 
3-58.     A.S.  hamjaa,  pr.  heng. 

Henna,  hence,  K.  1498.  A.S. 
hlmin. 

Henta  (n)  (pr.  hmte,  p.p.  hent),  to 
seize,  get,  P.  299,  (pr.)  P.  698, 
K.  442,  (pp.)  K.  723.  A.S. 
hentan  ;  cf.  to  hunt. 

Heraude,  Herowd,  a  herald,  K. 
159.     O.H.G.  haren,  to  shout. 

Herbergh,  a  harbor,  an  inn,  P. 
403,  765.  A.S.  here-bsorga,  a 
station  where  an  army  {here) 


encamps  on  its  march  ;  hecrrgnn, 
to  protect;    Ger.  herbergen ;  cf. 
burgh,  bo  rough. 
Herd,  haired,  K.  1660. 
Herde,  a  keeper  of  cattle,  P.  603. 
A.S.  hijrde,  a  keeper  ;  cf.  shep- 
herd, cow-herd.     Wedgwood  in- 
geniously   derives    herd    from 
harer,  the  cry  made  to  set  on  a 
dog. 
Herde  (p.p.  of  Aear), heard,  P.  848. 
Here,  hair,  P.  555,  K.  530.     A.S. 

liaer,  Ger.  hiar. 
Hera    (gen.    pi.)    of   them,   their 

[eorum),  P.   11,  366;  here  aller, 

of  them  all,  P.  586. 
Hera    (dat.     sing.)    to   this,    here 

agajjns,  against  this,    K.  2281 ; 

her  inne,  in  this,  K.  2215. 
Here,    to    hear,    K.    986.      A.S. 

hi/ran,  heran. 
Herinne,  in  this  (company),  K. 

2215.     Her  is  dative. 
Herkne,  imperat.  pi.  herhneth,  K. 

1674,   P.    788,   K.   985.      A.S. 

heorcnian,    emphatic     form    of 

hi/ran. 
Herneys.     See  Harnays. 
Hart,  a  hart,  a  stag,  K.  817,  831. 

A.S.   heo7-t,    Ger.   hirsch.      The 

female  is  called  a  hind. 
Herta,  a    heart,    P.    150.     A.S. 

heorte,  Ger.  herz,  Lat.  cor. 
Herte-spon,  the  navel,  K.  1748. 
Hest,  command,  K.   1674.     A.S. 

hatan. 
Hetha  (see  Heath),  a  heath,  the 

open  country,  P.  006. 
Hathanesse,  heathen  lands,  P.  49. 
Have,  to  heave,  lift,  P.  550.    A.S. 

hebban,  pr.  hof,  p.p.  ha/en,  Ger. 

heben. 
Haw  (a),  color  (hence  also)  com- 
plexion. P.  394,   K.   180;  (pi.) 

colors,  K.  12-30.    A.S.  hiw,  form, 

color. 
Hawe,  to  cut,  heiv,  K.  564,  2067. 

A.S.  heawan. 
Hider,  hither,  P.  672.    A.S.  hider. 
Hidous,  hideous,  K.  1120.     O.Fr. 

hidous. 
Hidously,  dreadfully,  hideously, 

K.  843. 
Hight,  promised,  K.  1614.    A.S. 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


279 


hatan,  to  promise.      Tliis  verb 

and  the  following  are  undoubt- 
edly  allied,   although   in   A.S. 

the  preterites  were  formed  dif- 
ferently. 
Highte,  was  called,  is  called,  P. 

616,   719,    K.    333,   570.      A.S. 

he/if,  pr.  of  haUm,  to  call,  to  be 

called,   to   name  ;    Ger.  heissen, 

Goth,  /uiitan,  pr.  Iidikdif. 
Highte,  in  highte,  aloud,  on  high, 

K.  926. 
Hihe,  high,  K.  1605.     A.S.  heuh, 

Ger.  hoch,  Iivhe. 
Him,  himself,  K.  2192. 
Himselve,  Hiniselven,  dat.   and 

ace.  of  himself,  P.  184,  528.    See 

note. 
Hipes,  hips,  P.  472.     A.S.  hijpe. 
Hire    (sing,    fern.)    her,   P.    120. 

A.S.   hire   (gen.   pi.)   their,    K. 

25.     A.S.  heora. 
Hit,  it,  P.  345,  K.  604.    A.S.  hit, 

gen.  his. 
Holde  (pr.  held,  p.p.  hold,  hoi  den), 

to  hold  in  esteem,  P.  141, 182,  K. 

832, 1861,  (p.p.)  beholden,  held, 

K.  449 ;  cf .   Ger.   behuUen,  also 

Lat.  habere. 
Holly,  wholly,  P.  590. 
Holpen,   (see   Helpen),    helped, 

P.  18. 
Holte,  a  grove,  P.  6.    A.S.  holt, 

Ger.  holz. 
Holwe,    hollow,    gaunt,   P.    289. 

A.S.  hoi,  a  hole;  Ger.  hohl. 
Holy,  devoted  to  sacred  purposes, 

P.  17,  479,  K.  1355.    A.S.  ha/i(/, 

Ger.  heilig. 
Home,  Hoom,  home,  hooni-cominrj 

=  return  home,  K.  26 ;  homward, 

towards  home,  K.  1881.     A.S. 

ham,  Ger.  heim. 
Hond  (s.  and  pi  ),  a  hand,  hands, 

P.  108,  K.  1245.     A.S.  hand. 
Honest,  honorable,  P.  246.     Lat. 

honesVis. 
Honestly,  honorably,  suitably  to 

one's  station,  K.  586. 
Honge  (n),  (pr.  henrj),  to  hang,  P. 

G76,  K.  638. 
Honte  (r),  a  hunter,  K.  780,  820. 

A  S.  hunta,  from  hentan,  to  seize. 


Honte  (n),  to  hunt,  K.  782.  A.S. 
huiitian. 

Honting,  hunting,  on  hontinq  =  a- 
hunting,  K.  829;  cf.  a-fishing. 
See  note.      * 

Hcod,  hat,  hood,  P.  195,  612. 
A.S.  hod,  from  hjjd,  a  skin,  a 
hide  ;  alluding  to  the  original 
material.     Ger.  hut. 

Hool  (e),  whole,  P.  533.  A.S.  hal, 
sound  ;  cf  irholcsome. 

Hoom,  home,  P.  400,  hoom-coming, 
return  home,  K.  26. 

Hoomly,  plainly,  hovielike,  in  a 
manner  suited  to  home,  P.  328. 

Hoost,  a  landlord,  host,  P.  747, 
751.  Lat.  hospes,  one  who  treats 
another  as  a  guest ;  Pr.  hofe. 

Hoot  (e),  Hote,  hot,  P.  687,  394. 
A.S.  hat,  Ger.  heiss. 

Hoote,  hotly,  passionately,  in- 
tensely, P.  97,  K.  879. 

Hoppesteres,  schippes  hoppesterea, 
hostile  or  opposing  sliiiDS,  K. 
1159.     See  note. 

Horn,  a  horn,  a  wind  instrument, 
P.  116,  K.820 ;  a  drinking  horn, 
K.  1421.     A.S.  horn,  Lat.  cornn. 

Hors  (s.  and  pi.),  a  horse,  horses, 
1\74  (pl.)P.  598,  K.  1634.  A.S. 
hors  for  hros,  Ger.  ross,  O.N. 
hross. 

Hose  (pi.  hosen),  stockings,  P.  456. 
A.S.  hose,  originally  denoting 
covering  for  the  legs;  Dutch, 
hose  =  boots. 

Host,  an  army,  K.  16.  Lat.  hosfis, 
an  enemy.  "  The  term  hostis, 
which  primarily  signified  the 
enemy  against  whom  the  expe- 
dition was  to  be  made,  was  com- 
pendiously used  for  the  military 
service  itself.  .  .  .  The  expres- 
sion would  easily  pass  from  mil- 
itary service  to  the  army  on 
duty,  and  thence  to  any  numer- 
ous asseml)lage."  Wedgwood. 

Hosteller,  an  innkeeper,  a  hostler, 
P.  241.     See  Hoost,  Fr.  hofelier. 

Hostelrie,  a  hotel,  an  inn,  P.  23, 
722.  Fr.  hotel,  Lat.  hospitalis 
(hospes) ;  cf.  hospital. 

Hote,  hot.     See  Hoote. 


28o 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Hote,  Hoote,  to  be  called,  K.  699. 
See  Highte. 

Hounde,  a  dog,  P.  146.  A.S. 
hiDid,  Ger.  hu7id,  Eng.  hound. 

Houres,  hours,  P^416.    Lat. /«ora. 

Hous,  a  house,  a  religious  estab- 
lishment, a  monastery,  P.  252. 
A.S.  hits,  Ger.  haus,  Lat.  casa. 

Housebond,  a  husband,  P.  460. 
A.S.  hus,  and  hnnda,  one  inhab- 
iting (buan,  to  dwell)  with  the 
idea  of  mastery ;  hence  a  mar- 
ried man.  See  note.  The  word 
retains  its  original  force  in  hus- 
bandman. 

Househaldere,  a  householder, 
freeholder,  P.  339. 

How,  literally,  in  what  (way)? 
how  that  =  how,  P.  506,  642,  K. 
587.   A  form  analogous  to  ivhi/. 

Howie,  to  wail,  K.  1959.  Ger. 
heiden,  Lat.  idulare ;  cf.  oivl. 

Humblesse,  hmiiility,  K.  923.  Fr. 
humblesse,  Lat.  humilis,  from  hu- 
mus, the  ground. 

Hunte  (r),  a  hunter,  P.  178,  K. 
1160,  1770.     A.S.  hunta. 

Hunteresse,  a  huntress,  K.  1489. 

Hurte,  to  wound,  K.  256,  258. 
A.S.  hip-t,  wounded;  cf.  hurl, 
hurtle. 

Hurtle,  to  push,  to  strike,  K. 
1758.     Frequentative  of  hurt. 

Husst,  hushed,  K.  2123.  An 
onomatopoetic  word;  cf.  lust, 
ivhist. 

Hyde,  to  hide,  K.  623.  A.S. 
hjdan. 

Hye,  haste ;  in  hye,  in  haste,  has- 
tily, K.  2121. 

Hye,  high,  K.  39. 

Hye,  to  hie,  to  hasten,  K.  1416. 
A.S.  higan;  cf.  higen,  diligent, 
from  hgge,  mind.  The  word 
would  thus  seem  to  denote  :  (1) 
mental  activity;  (2)  physical 
activity  ;  cf.  quick,  blive  {by-live). 

Hyhe,  highly,  on  high,  K.  1217. 

Hyndren,  to  hinder,  keep  back, 
K.  277.  A.S.  hindrinn,  from 
hinder,  back;  Ger.  hind  em. 

Hyndreste,  hinderraost,  P.  622. 
Supl.  of  hind. 


Hyne,  a  servant,  a  hind,  P.  608. 

A.S.  hina  (higna),  a  domestic. 
Hynge   (pi.  pr.  o\i  hongen),hung, 

P.  677. 
Hyre,  wages,  hire,  P.  538.     A.S. 

hyr,  Ger.  heuer.   Probably  allied 

to  hijran,  to  obey,  to  hear. 


I. 


I,  prefix,  denotes  the  past  parti- 
ciple. 
I-bete,  beaten,  hammered,  K.  121. 

A.S.  bcatan. 
I-bore,  borne,  P.  378. 
I-chaped,  fitted   with    plates  of 

metal,  tipj)ed    with  metal,  P. 

366. 
I-clenched,      strengthened      by 

clinches,  P.  1133. 
I-do    (n),    I-doo,    done,    ended, 

finislied,  K.  1676. 
I-faUe,  fallen,  P.  25. 
I-fetered,  fettered,  K.  371. 
If,  if;  if  that,  if  so  be  that,  if,  P. 

144,    399,   K.   257.      A.S.  gif, 

Goth,  yabai. 
I-go   (iij,  I-goon,  gone,  P.  286. 

Now  written,  ago. 
I-knowe,      known,      completely 

known,  P.  423. 
niche,  Hike,  alike.    A.S.  gelice. 
Hke,  same,  P.  64,  175.     A.S.  ylc. 
In,  with  reference  to,   according 

to,  K.  2030. 
Inequal,  unequal,  Iv.  1413. 
Infinite,  Infynyte,  unnumbered, 

unmeasured  ;  hence  tliat  which 

cannot  be  numbered  or  meas- 
ured, K.  1969. 
Infortune,     misfortune,     malign 

fortune,  K.  1163. 
Iniquite,   injustice,    wickedness, 

K.  82.  Lat.  iniquitas  =  inequity. 
Inne,  an  inn,  K.  1578.  A.S.  inne. 
Inne    (adv.),    within,    P.  41,   K. 

760. 
Inne,,  to    entertain    at    an   inn; 

inned,  lodged,  K.  1334. 
Inough,  enough,  P.    373.      Ger. 

gemig,  Goth  ganohs,  from  ganau- 

han,  to  suffice. 
I-pynched,  plaited,  P.  151.     Fr. 


GLOSSAEIAL  INDEX. 


281 


pincer,  to    pinch.     It    acquires 

the  meaning  to  plait  from  the 

means  employed  ;  cf.  to  jjitik. 
I-proved,  proved,  proven,  P.  485. 
Ire,  wrath,  ire.     Lat.  ira. 
Iran,  iron,   K.    218,   1134.     A.S. 

iren,  iscn,  from  ar,  ore,  denoting 

also  copper,  Lat.  aes,  Ger.  eisen : 

literally  denoting ///e  //<e/«/,  hence 

iron  by  way  of  eminence. 
I-ronne,  run,  P.  8 ;  arranged,  K. 

1307.     A.S.   rinnan,  yrnan;  cf. 

errand. 
I-schadwed,  shaded,  P.  607.  A.S. 

scadirian,  to  shade. 
I-schave,  shaven,  P.  690.     A.S. 

scdfan. 
I-sehrive,  shriven,  confessed,  P. 

226.      A.S.   scrifan,  to  ordain, 

enjoin. 
I-shorn,  shorn,  sheared,  P.  689. 

A.S.  sceran. 
I-slawe,  slain,   K.  85.     A.S.  s/a- 

gan,  to  slay  :  literally,  to  strike  ; 

cf.  Ger.  sc/dagen,  to  beat ;  Eng. 

slaughter. 
I-stored,  stocked,  stored,  P.  609. 
•     I-styked,  pierced,  stuck,  K.  707. 

A.S.  sticcian,  from  stice,  a  stab; 

cf.  a  "stitch  in  the  back." 
I-taught,  taught,  P.   127.     A.S. 

taecan.  * 

I-write  (n),  written,  P.  161.   A^. 

ivritan. 
I-wrye,  covered,  K.  2046.     A.S. 

wrikan,  to  cover. 

J. 

Jalous,  jealous,  K.  471.  Lat. 
ztlus,  Fr.  jaloux. 

Jangler,  a  great  talker,  a  babbler, 
P.  560.     Ft.  jangler,  to  lie,  jest. 

Jape,  a  trick,  P.  705.  O.Fr.  gaber ; 
cf.  gab. 

Jape,  to  deceive,  to  befool,  K. 
871.     See  By -jape. 

Jelousye,  jealousy,  K.  441.  Fr. 
jalousie,  Lat.  zelus. 

Jewels,  jewels,  K.  2087.  Fr. 
jouel,joyaH,  I^at  gaiidixin.  Hence 
articles  of  dress  worn  to  indi- 
cate joy. 


Jolitee,  gayety,  P.  680.  From 
jollg,  Fi-.jolt ;  allied  to  A.S.  gal, 
O.K.  yule.     ^ 

Journee,  a  day's  journey,  K. 
1880.  ¥t.  journee,  LzX.  diurnus; 
hence,  by  synecdoche,  denoting 
extended  travel. 

Jousten,  to  joust,  to  engage  in  a 
tournament,  K.  1628.  Fr.jous- 
ter,  Eng.  jostle. 

Joy  (e),  joy,  K.  170,1015.  Fr. 
joie,  Lat.  gaudium. 

Jugge,  a  judge,  P.  814,  K.  854. 
Fv.juge,  Lut.  judex. 

Juggement,  judgment,  P.  778. 
Fv.  jugenient,  Lat.  judicametitum. 

Juste,  to  joust,  P.  96.  See  Jous- 
ten. 

Justes,  a  tournament,  K.  1862. 

Justice,  a  judge,  P.  314.  Lat. 
/».s' ;  cf .  just,  jury,  adjudicate. 

Juwyse,  judgment,  condemna- 
tion, K.  881.  Fr.  juise,  Lat. 
judicium. 

K. 

Kage,  a  cage,  K.  436.  Fr.  cage^ 
Lat.  cavea,  an  enclosure  for  ani- 
mals, a  den. 

Kaytyves,  captives,  caitijfs,  K, 
859.    Lat.  captivus.    See  Caytif. 

Keep  (e),  care,  attention,  to  take, 
keep,  to  take  care,  to  observe, 
P.  398,  K.  531. 

Keepe,  Kepe  (pr.  kepte,  p.p.  kep], 
to  care  for,  to  observe,  to  guard, 
P.  130,  276.  852.  /  kepenat,  I 
care  not,  K.  1380,  2102.  A.S. 
cepan. 

Kembe  (p.p.  kemhd),  to  comb,  K. 
1285.  A.^.cemhan,  Ger.  kammen. 

Kempe,  coarse,  shaggy,  K.  1276. 
See  note. 

Kene,  sliarp,  P.  104.  A.S.  cene, 
Ger.  kuhn. 

Kervere,  a  carver,  sculptor,  K. 
1041.     A.S.  ceorfan,  to  cut. 

Kervyng,  carving,  sculptured  or- 
naments, K.  1057. 

Keverchef,  a  kerchief,  P.  453. 
Fr.  couvrir,  to  cover,  chef,  the 
head. 


282 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Knarre,  a   knot,  hence  a  burlj 

fellow^  P.  5J:U.     See  note, 
^nari'y,    knotty,  full    of   gnars, 

K.  1119.     Ger.  knorre. 
Knave,  a  servant,  K.  1870.    A.S. 

cnapa,  Ger.  knahe,  a  hoy. 
Kne,  knee,  P.  391.     A.S.  cneoio, 

Ger.  hiie,  Lat.  genu,  Gr.  yovv. 
Knight,  a  kniglit,    P.  42.     A.S. 

cniht,  Ger.  knecht:   (1)  a  young 

man;    (2)  a  servant;     (3)   the 

servant  of  a  king  ;  (4)  a  person 

engaged  in  military  service. 
Knighthede,      knighthood,      K. 

1931. 
Knobbes,  hard    swellings,    pim- 
ples, P.  633.  A.S.  c/;ae/>,  a  knop, 

a  button. 
Knotty,  knotty,  K.   1119.     AS. 

cnott,  from  cnyttan,  to  knit,  tie, 

knot. 
Knowe,  pp.  known,  K.  345. 
Knyf,  pi.  l-nijfes,  a  knife,  P.  233, 

K.  1141.     A.S.  cnif,  Fr.  canif; 

cf.  nip. 
Knytte,  to  knit,  K.   270.     A.S. 

CHI/tan,  to  knit ;  cf  to  knot,  to  net. 
Kouthe,    known,    P.    14.      See 

Couthe. 
Kynde,  nature,  K.  543, 1593.   See 

note.     A.S.  ci/nd,  from  cennan, 

to  beget. 
Kynde,    good-natured,    kind,  P. 

647. 
Kyng,  a  king,  K.  691.     See  note. 

A.S.     cipiing,    from    cunnan,    to 

know,    to   he   able,    cennan,    to 

beget.     Ger.  kdniq. 
Kynled,    kindled,  "K.   1437;    cf. 

accendere,  allied  to  cennan. 
Kynrede,  kindred,  K.  428.     A.S. 

ci/n-raeden,  cyn,  from  cunnan,  to 

know ;    raeden,    denotes    state, 

&,c. ;  cf.  hatred. 
Kyte,  a  kyte,  a  bird  of  prey,  K. 

321.     A.S.  ct/ta,  W.  cud. 


Jjaas,   a  belt,   P.    392.     Fr.  lacs, 

Lat.  hiqneus. 
Lace,  Las,  a  lace,  net,  snare,  K. 

959,  1093.   Lat.  laqueus,  a  snare ; 


hence:  (1)  a  net,  (2)  what 
binds  or  fastens;  (3)  a  fabric 
resembling  a  net ;  cf.  shoe-lace, 
lasso. 

Lacerte,  a  muscle,  K.  1895.  Lat. 
lacertiis,  a  lizard. 

Lad  (p.p.  ladde),  led,  brought, 
K.  688,  1762. 

Lady  (e),  (gen.  ladii),  lady,  mis- 
tress, K.  431 ;  lady's,  P.  88.  A.S. 
hlaef-dic/e,  usually  derived  from 
hlaf,  loaf,  and  iveardic/e,  warden  ; 
but  this  derivation  seems  doubt- 
ful. 

Lafte  (pi.  laffen,  pr.  of  leve,  p  p. 
/a/0,  left,  ceased,  P.  492,  K.  34, 
(p.p.)  K.  1158.     A.S.  laejan. 

Lakke,  to  lack,  P.  756,  K.  1422 ; 
cf.  slack. 

Langage,  language,  fair  langage, 
flattery,  P.  211. 

Lappe,  a  lap,  P.  686.  A.S.  lappa, 
a  lap,  border,  hem,  piece,  —  the 
original  meaning  is  now  ex- 
pressed hy  flap  ;  cf.  lapel,  lapet, 
flmp,  flahbip 

Large,  freedom,  at  thi  large  =  at 
large,  free,  K.  425,  434 ;  at  his     • 
large,  K.  469. 

Large,  free,  coarse,  P.  734 ;  cf. 
gross. 

largely,  fully,  easily,  K.  1050, 
1080  ;  cf .  Lat.  large. 

Las.     See  Lace. 

Lasyng,  lacing,  fastening  with 
laces,  K.  1646.     See  Lace. 

Lat  (imperative),  let,  P.  188;  lat 
se,  let  us  see,  P.  831,  K.  33  ;  lai 
be,  let  it  be,  cease,  P.  840. 

Late,  lately,  late  ycome,  lately  ar- 
rived, P.  77  ;  late  ischave,  lately 
shaven,  P.  690. 

Latoun,  a  mixed  metal  resem- 
bling brass,  P.  699.     Pr.  laiton 

Launde,  a  lawn,  an  open  cleared 
space,  K.  833 ;  see  note.  W. 
Han,  a  clear  spnce. 

Laurer,  a  laurel,  K.  169.  Fr. 
hairier,  Lat.  laurus. 

Lawe,  a  law,  P.  577.  From  root 
/(///  ,•  hence  =  what  is  laid  down 
or  fixed  ;  cf.  Lat.  lex  (legs) 

Laxatif,  a  laxative,  a  purge,  R. 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


283 


1898.      Lat.     Laxare ;    cf.    lack, 

slack. 
Lay,  pr.  of  Lie,  q.v. 
Laynere,  a  tliony,  K.  164G.     Fr. 

laniere ;  cf.  lantjard. 
Lazar,   Lazer,    a   leper,   P.    242, 

245.     A  corruption  of  Lazarus. 
Leche-craft,    medical     skill,    K. 

1887.     A.S.  leche,  a  pliysician. 
Leeds,  a  caldron,  P.  202.    Irish, 

luclul,  a  kettle. 
Leef  (pi.  leeces,  leves),  a  leaf,  K. 

980.     Ger.  lauh. 
Leef,  dear,  pleasant,  K.  979.  A.S. 

Itof,  from  lu/ian,  to  love  ;  Eng. 

lief,  "  Be  him  lotli  or  leef." 
Leen,   Lene,    to   give,    lend,    K. 

2224.     A.S.  lac.nan,  Ger.  leihen  ; 

cf.  loan. 
Leep  (pr.  oUeap),  leaped,  K.  1829. 

A.S.  Ideapan,  pr.  hieop. 
Leesyng,    loss,    losing,    K.    849. 

A.S.  leosaii. 
Leet  (pr.  of  let),  let,  P.  128,  175 

(v.   aux.)  ;   leet  cn/e,  caused  to 

be  cried,  K.  1873  ;   leet  bnpige, 

caused  to  be  brougiit,  K  20ol ; 

leit   comannde,   commanded,  K. 

2007.     A.S.  laetan,  pr.  let,  p.p. 

laeten. 
Leet,  left,  let  be,  P.  508.     See 

note. 
Leeve,  departure,   K.   359;  used 

only  in  "  to  take  leave."     A.S. 

leaf,lrfan,  to  permit,  with  faran, 

to  go,  miderstood. 
Leeve  (def.  of  leef),  dear,  K.  278. 
Leeve,  to  believe,  K.  2230.     A.S. 

(jfledfan  ;  Ger.  (jlauben. 
Lef  (imperative),  leave,  K.  756. 
Lene,  to  lend,  P.  611.     A.S.  lae- 

nan,  Ger.  lehnen. 
Lene,   lean,   poor,   P.    287,   591. 

A.S.    hlaene,   from    hlinian,    to 

bend,  hence  =  too  poor  to  stand 

erect. 
Lenger  (e),  longer,   P.  330,  821. 

A.S.   lang,    comp.    lengra,   supl. 

leii(/est. 
Lepart,  a  leopard,  K.  1328. 
Lerne   (p.p.  lernede),  to  learn,  P. 

308,  575.     A.S.  komian. 
Lese,  to  lose,  K.  357.    A.S.  leosan, 


pr.    leas,   p.p.  loren ;  cf.  forlorn, 
lorn. 

Lessoun,  lesson,  a  passage  of 
scripture  read  in  divine  service, 
P.  709.  Pr.  le(^on,  Lat.  lectio, 
from  legeje. 

Leste,  pleasure,  delight,  P.  132. 
A.JS.  /y.s7,  lust. 

Leste,  Liste,  Lust  (e),  (imper- 
sonal with  ace),  please,  P.  583, 
750,  K.  493,  495  ;  rue  liste  =  it 
pleases  me  ;  him  luste  =  it 
pleased  him  ;  us  leste  =  it 
pleased  us.  A.S.  lystan,  to 
please,  to  be  pleased. 

Lest  (e),  least,  K.  263;  contr. 
for  littlest. 

Lesynges,  lies,  leasing,  K.  1069. 
A.S.  leasung,  Goth,  laus,  empty, 
vain.     Allied  to  less,  loose,  lose. 

Lete,  Lette,  to  leave,  K.  4(J5,  see 
note ;  Utten  of  refrain  from, leave 
off.  A.S.  of-iaetan,  K.459;  cf.  late 

Lette,  to  hinder,  K.  31,  1034. 
This  word  antl  the  preceding 
are  from  the  same  root,  —  late; 
in  one  case  the  slow-moving 
body  is  left ;  in  the  other  it 
hinders  one  that  would  other- 
wise go  faster. 

Letuaries,  electuaries,  P.  426 ; 
metiicines  to  be  licked  up. 

Leve,  leave,  permission,  K.  206. 

Lever  (comp.  of  lief ),  rather,  him 
ivas  lever  have,  he  would  rather 
have,  P.  293. 

Lewed,  Lewd,  unlearned,  igno- 
rant, P.  502;  see  note.  A.S. 
leode,  people,  Ger.  leute ;  cf.  laitjj, 
lay. 

Leye  (p.  leijde,  p.p.  lei/d),  to  lay,  P. 
81  ;  leye-to,  take  hold  of,  begin, 
P.  841.     A.S.  to-lecgan. 

Leyser,  leisure,  K.  330.  Fr.  loisir, 
Lat.  licere. 

Licentiat,  one  licensed  to  hear 
confession  and  grant  absolu- 
tion, P.  220.     Lat.  liceiitiatus. 

Liche-wake,  the  watch  (ivake) 
held  over  a  corps^e,  K.  2100. 
A.S.  lie,  Ger.  leich,  a  body. 

Licour,  liquor,  P.  3.  Lat.  liquor, 
lajuere,  to  flow. 


284 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


Lie  (pr.  lay,  p.p.  lain),  to  lie,  P. 

20.     A.S.   liajan,  pr.   /ae^r,  p.p. 

legen.     See  Ligge. 
Lif,  Lyf,  life,  K.  1918.     A.S.  Uf, 

from  libban,  allied  to  lie,  body. 
Ligge,  to  lie,   K.  1347;    Uogijnfj, 

lying,  K.  153.     A.S.  licyan,  lig- 

gan. 
Lighte,  bright,  pleasant,  K.  925. 

A.S.  liht,  Ger.  leicht,  Lat.  lux, 

lucere,  to  shine. 
Lik,  like  to,  K.  443.     From  A.S. 

lie,  a  body. 
Like  (impers.),  to  please,  if  you 

liketh  =  if  it  please  you,  P.  777  ; 

him  likede  =  it  pleased  hini,  K. 

1234. 
Liknesse,  similar   circumstances 

(coll.  noun),  K.  1084. 
Lippe,   lip,  P.    133.     A.S.   lippa, 

Lat.  labium;  cf.  lap, flap,  — the 

loose  part. 
Lipsede,    hsped,   P.    264.     A.S. 

wlispian,  to  stammer;  Ger.  lis- 

peln. 
Liste.     See  Leste. 
Listes,  Lystes,  lists,  a  space  en- 
closed for  combats,  P.   63,  K. 

1231, 1687  ;  combats  in  the  lists, 

K.   994.      Lat.    lieium,   a   rope 

Avhich  marked  the  enclosure. 
Litarge,    litharge,    protoxide   of 

lead,  P.  629. 
Lite  (1),  little,  P.  438  ;  moche  and 

lite  =  great  and  small ;  i.e.  high 

and  low,  P.  494. 
Lite  (adv.),  little  while,  K  476. 
Lith,  lieth,  lies,  K.  360. 
Live  (dat.  of  lif),  on  lijve,  in  life, 

alive,  K.  1840. 
Lodemenage,   pilotage,    P.    403. 

A.S.  laedan,  to  guide,  and  Fr. 

menage  ;  cf .  loadstar,  loadstone. 
Loken,  to  see,  look,  K.  925.     A.S. 

tocian. 
Lokkes,  locks  of  hair,  curls,   P. 

81.    A.S.///cca?j,  to  pluck,  hence 

locc,  a  handful.  * 

Lokyng,  sight,  K.  1313. 
Lend,  land,  P.  14.     A.S.  land.^ 
Longe  (n),  to  long  for,  to  desire, 

■  P.  12.    A.S.  langian  (from  lang), 

to  stretch  the  mind  after. 


Longe   (n),  to  belong,  K.    1420; 

cf.  Ger.  belangen. 
Longe  (adv.),  for  a  long  time,  P. 

286. 
Longes,  the  lungs,  K.  1894.    A.S. 

lunge. 
Loode,  a  load,    K.   2060.     A.S. 

Jiladan,  to  load. 
Loode-sterre,     a    loadstar,    the 

north  star,  K.  1201.  A.S.  laedan, 

to  lead  ;  steorra,  from  steoran,  to 

steer. 
Lord,  sir,  lord,  —  a  title  of  honor, 

P.  65.     See  note  on  P.  601. 
Lordschipe,  the  authority  or  rank 

of  lord,  K.   969.      A.S.  hlaford- 

scipe. 
Lordynges,  lordlings,  sirs,  P.  761. 

Ing  is  the  A.S.  diminutive  and 

patronymic  termination. 
Lore,  doctrine,  learning,  P.    527. 

A.S.  lar. 
Los,  loss,  K.  1685.     A.S.  las. 
Losten  (pi.  pr.  of  leese),  lost. 
Loth,    disagreeable,   unpleasant, 

P.  486,  K.  979.     A.S.  lath;  cf. 

loathe. 
Love,  lover,  K.  1448 :  a  common 

synecdoche. 
Love-daye,  daj^s  for  arbitration, 

law-days,  P.  258. 
Lovyere,  lover,  P.  SO:  y  from  i. 

A.S.  lufian,  to  love. 
Lowde,  "  loudly,    P.    714.     A.S. 

hhi.de,  Ger.  laut. 
Lowe  (adj.  and  adv.),  low,  K.  253  ; 

O.E.  lowe,  law,  lagh,  which  con- 
nects with  A.S.  licgan,  to  lie; 

Ger.  liege n. 
Luce,  a  pike,  P.  350. 
Lust,  pleasure,  P.   192,  K.  892. 

A.S.  lust. 
Lust  (e),  pleased,  pleaseth,  may 

please,  P.  102,  K.  493,  495. 
Lusty,  vigorous,  handsome,  pleas- 
ant,   ardent,    P.    80,  K.   1253, 

1258. 
Lustynesse,  pleasure,  what  occa- 
sions pleasure,  K.  1081. 
Lye,  destruction,  K.  2157.     A.S. 

leg,  laeg. 
Lye,  to  iie,  P.  659.     A.S.  leogan, 

Goth,  liugan,  Ger.  liigen. 


GLOSSAJRIAL   INDEX. 


28^ 


Lyf,  Hfe,   P.   71.     A.S.  lif,  from 

A.S.  libban,  Ger.  lebm. 
Lyfly,  life-like,  K.  1229 ;  cf.  lively, 

=  quick  ;  i.e.  living, 
Lymes,  limbs,  K.  1277.  A.S.  lim. 
Lymytour,  a  friar  authorized  to 

ask  alms  within  certain  limits, 

P.  209. 
Lynage,  Lyne,  lineage,  line  of 

descent,  K.  252,  693.     Fr.  lig- 

nfuje,  Lat.  Unea,  a  line. 
Lynd,  a   linden-tree,  bass  wood, 

K.  2064.     A.S.  lind. 
Lystes,     See  Listes. 
Lyte,  little,  K.  335;  not,  K.  865; 

cf.  Lat.  minus,  minime.   A.S.  hjt, 

lytel. 
Lyve.     See  Live. 
Lyvere,  livery,  P.  868.  See  note. 
Lyves,  alive,  living,  K.  1537 ;  a 

gen.  used  adverbially. 


M. 

Maad,  Mad,  p.p.  made,  P.  394, 
608,  K.  747,  mahcd. 

Maat,  dejected,  K.  97.  Pr.  mat, 
Ger.  matt,  feeble ;  cf.  check- 
mate  =  ^hah  mat;  i.e.  the  king  is 
dead. 

Mace,  a  club,  K.  1266,  1701.  Fr. 
masse. 

Mad,  stricken  out  of  one's  senses, 
insane,  K.  1484.  A.S.  ge-maed, 
troubled  in  mind ;  cf  mod,  mind. 

Madame,  madam,  P.  121.  Fr. 
from  Lat.  mea  doinina. 

Maist,  mayest,  K.  385. 

Maister,  Mayster  (pi.  viaystres), 
master,  chief  or  head  (of  a  re- 
ligious house),  P.  261,  570.  Lat. 
magister  from  magnus,  as  minis- 
ter from  minus. 

Maister  (adj.),  principal,  maister 
streete,  the  main  street,  K.  2044. 

Maistcw",  mayest  thou,  K.  378. 

Maistrie,  skill,  superiority,  mas- 
terij  ;  for  the  maistrie  =  above 
all  others,  P.  165. 

Make,  a  mate,  K.  1698.  A.S. 
7naca,  a  mate,  one  of  the  same 
make;  cf.  match. 


Make,  to  write   poetry,  P.  325; 

cf .  Gr.  'KOidv. 
Maked  (p.p.),  made,  K.  1666. 
Maladye,  malady,  P.  419.     Lat. 

male-aptus,  ill-fitted. 
Male,    a    bag,    portmanteau,   P. 

694.     Fr.  malle ;  cf.  ?yj.a//,  Gael. 

mala,  a  bag. 
Manace,  a    menace,    threat,   K. 

1145.     Lat.  minaciae. 
Manasyng,  threatening,  K.  1177. 
Mancioun,  a  mansion,  K.  1116. 

Lat.  mansio,  trom  manere;   cf. 

manse. 
Maner  (e),  sort,  kind,   manner, 

P.  71,  140,  858,  K.  1017 ;  mauer 

wight  =  sort  of  person  ;  Fr.  ma- 

niere,  Lat.   manus :   literally,  a 

handling,  the  way  in  which  a 

matter  is  handled. 
Manhede,  manhood,  P.  756. 
Mankynd,  mankind,  the  family 

[kin)   of   man,  K.   449.      A.S. 

man-cyn. 
Manly,      vigorous,       masculine, 

brave,  P.  167,  K.  129 ;  man-like. 
Mantel,  a  mande,  P.  878.     A.S. 

mentel,  Lat.  mantehim.  Literally 

a   hand-cloth ;  hence  a  garment 

covering  the  hands. 
Mantelet,    a    short    mantle,   K. 

1305. 
Manye,   mania,    K.     517.     Lat. 

mania. 
Many  con,  many  a  one,  P.  317  ; 

many  a,  P.  168.     See  note. 
Marbel,  marble,    K.    1035.     Fr. 

marlive,  Lat.  mannor. 
Marchaunt,  a  merchant,  P.  270. 

Fr.    marchant,  Lat.   mercari,  to 

trade. 
Marche,  March  (the  month),  P.  2. 

From  3 furs. 
Mariage,  marriage,  P.  212.     Fr. 

marier,  Lat.  mas,  a  male. 
Marschal,  marshal,    one    whose 

duty    it    is   to   assign    places ; 

marschal  in  an  halle,  marshal  of 

the  hall,  P.  752.  O.Ger.  marah- 

scalc  {=  horse  servant),  master 

of  the  horse  ;  cf.  mare. 
Martirdam,  martyrdom,  death  by 

torture,  K.  602. 


286 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX. 


Martyr,  a  martyr,  P.  770.  Liter- 
ally, a  witness. 

Martyre,  to  torture,  K.  704. 

Mary-bones,  marrow-bones,  P. 
380.     A  S.  nimrg. 

Matere,  Mateere,  matter,  P. 
727,  Iv  401.     Lat.  materia. 

Matrimoyn,  matrimony,  K.  2237. 
Lat.  inittrimoiu'um,  mother-hood. 

Maugre,  Mawgre,  in  spite  of,  K. 
811,  749,  1760.  Fr.  7nal  gre, 
Lat.  male  gratnm. 

Maunciple,  an  officer  Avho  had 
the  charge  of  purchasing  vict- 
uals for  an  Inn  of  Court,  P.  544. 
Lat.  manceps,  the  superintend- 
ent of  a  bake-house,  —  a  baker. 

May,  can,  to  be  able,  P.  230,  K. 
415,  966.  A.S.  magan,  to  be 
able  ;  cf .  viight,  mighty ;  also 
Lat.  mag  lilts. 

Mayde,  maid,  P.  69  ;  see  note. 
A.S.  maegdh,  Ger.  magd,  Goth. 
mar/Its,  a  boy  ;  cf.  Gael.  mac. 

Maydenhode,  maidenhood,  K. 
1471. 

Mayne,  servants,  K.  400.  O.Fr. 
mesiie'p,  Lat.  minores  natii. 

Maynteyne,  to  persist  in,  main- 
tain, K.  920.  Fr.  inaintenir, 
Lat.  maan-tenere. 

Mede,  a  meadow,  mead,  P.  89. 
A.S.  maed,  originally  wet  land, 
that  being  especially  adapted  to 
grass  ;  cf.  mud,  Lat.  madeo. 

Medle,  motley,  a  mixed  color,  P. 
328.  O.Fr.  medler,  Fr.  ?neler,  to 
mix  ;  cf.  meddle. 

Meede,  reward,  meed,  P.  770. 
A.S.  med,  hire,  Ger.  miethe. 

Mete  (adv  ),  becomingly,  suit- 
ably, K.  1433.  A.S.  gemet;  cf. 
convenient. 

Make,  meek,  P.  69.  Goth.  muTcs, 
mild,  soft. 

Mellere,  a  miller,  P.  542 ;  cf.  vieaJ. 

Memory e,  honor,  honorable  men- 
tion, K.  1048  Lat.  memorare, 
to  make  honorable  mention  ;  cf. 
commemorate. 

Men,  (me,  P.  149,  232,  K.  558. 
An  indefinite  pronoun ;  cf.  Ger. 
man,  Fr.  vn. 


Mencioun,  mention^  K.  1077.  Fr, 
mention,  Lat.  mentio,  mens. 

Mene  (pr.  mente),  to  intend,  wish, 
say,  mean,  P.  793,  K.  815.  A.S. 
maeuan,  to  tell,  to  have  in  mind  ; 
cf.  Lat.  mens. 

Mereenarie,  a  hireling,  P.  514. 
Lat.  merces,  wages. 

Mercy,  pity,  K.  60.  Fr.  merci, 
Lat.  misericordia. 

Mere,  a  mare,  P.  541.  A.S.  maere. 

Merie,  Mery  (e),  Murye,  mirth- 
ful, joyful,  P.  208,  757,  K.  641. 
A.S.  mgrig,  from  mi/r/Uh. 

Meriely,  pleasantly,  mirthfully, 
P.  714. 

Meschaunce,  misfortune,  mis- 
chance, K.  1151. 

Mescheef,  Meschief,  misfortune, 
P.  493,  K.  468.  Fr.  meschef, 
minns-chef,  what  turns  out  ill. 

Mester,  a  trade,  occupation,  P. 
613,  see  note  ;  lience  also  kind  : 
mester  men,  sort  of  men,  K.  852. 

Mesurable,  moderate,  P.  435.  Fr. 
mesure,  Lat.  metiri. 

Mete,  food,  P.  127,  136.  A.S. 
mete,  food,  Goth.  mats. 

Mete,  fit,  K.  773.  A.S.  gemet, 
metan,  to  meet;  cf.  convenient^ 
from  con-venire ;  also  "help  meei; 
for  him." 

Mete,  to  meet,  K.  666.  A.S. 
metan,  to  meet,  mot,  an  assem- 
bly. 

Meth,  mead,  a  drink  made  of 
honey,  K.  1421.  A.S.  medu, 
Goth,  militli,  honey. 

Mewe,  a  coop,  an  enclosure,  P. 
349.  Litei^ally  a  cage  for  hawks 
while  mewing  or  moulting  ( Lat. 
mutare),  hence,  as  a  verb,  to 
mew  =  to  confine. 

Might,  power,  victory,  K.  998. 
A.S.  magan,  to  be  able. 

Might  (pr.  of  may),  could,  was 
able,  P.  632. 

Mighty,  strong,  large,  P.  108,  K. 
565.     A.S.  mihtig,  Ger.  vuichtig. 

Miracle,  a  wonder,  Avonderful 
deed,  K.  930.  Lat.  miraculuin, 
from  inirari,  to  wonder  at. 

Mirthe,     Myrthe,     amusement^ 


GLOSSAEIAL   INDEX. 


287 


pleasure,   P.  766 ;   a   mirfhe,    a 

game,  P.  707.     A.S.  mijrth. 
Misbede  (p.p.  misboden),  to  mal- 
treat, insult,  K.  51.     A.S.  mis- 

heodan. 
Mo  (o),  more,  P.  101,  544.     A.S. 

ma ;  cf.  Lat.  ma-gnus,  ma-jor. 
Moche,  much,  P.  211  ;  Jul  moche, 

very  much,  P.  132.    A.S.  inycel. 
Mochel,  greatly,   much,   P.  258, 

K.    1992.     A.S.   mijcel,  Scotch, 

miclde. 
Moevere,    a    mover,    cause,   K. 

2129.     Lat.  viovere. 
Mone,  moon,  P.  403.     A.S.  mona, 

Ger.    mond,    Goth,    mena,     Gr. 

Moneth  (pi.  monthcs),  a  month,  P. 

92,    704.     The    space   of    time 

measured    by  a   revolution   of 

the   moon.     A.S.  nionath,  Ger. 

moiiaf,  Fr.  mois. 
Moneye,   money,   P.   703.      See 

note. 
Monk,  a  monk,  P.  165  ;  literally 

one   who   dwells   alone.      Lat. 

monachus. 
Mood,  anger,  K.  902.     A.S.  7nod, 

mind,   passion ;    cf.    Gr.   dvfiog, 

also  moody. 
Moone,  moan,    lamentation,    K. 

508.     A.S.  maenan. 
Moot  (pi.  mote,  pr.  moste,  muste), 

may,  must,   ought,  P.  232,  732, 

735,  742.     A.S.  pres.  sing.  1,  3, 

mot ;  2,  most:  pi.  moton,  pr.  mosfe. 
Moral,  correct  in  manner,  P.  307. 

Lat.  mos. 
More,  greater  (in  rank),  Jesse  and 

more,  high  and  low,  K.  898.  See 

note. 
More,  delay,   K.   1945.     Scotch, 

ivith  ontijn  mar,  Bruce  iii.  793. 
Mormal,  a   cancer,  P.   386.     Fr. 

mort-mal. 
Morne-milk,   morning   milk,    P. 

358. 
Morsel,  a  bit,  P.  128.  Lat.  morsus, 

from  mordf-re,  to  bite  ;  cf.  bit. 
Mortal,  deadlv,  fatal,  occasioning 

great  loss  of  life,  P.  61,  K.  732; 

cf.  mortal  enemy.     Lat.  mortalis, 

7nors. 


Morthre,  murder,  K.   398.     A.S. 

morther,   morth,   death  ;  cf.    Lat. 

mors. 
Mortreux,   a   kind  of    broth   or 

soup,    mortrewes,    P.    384.      So 

named  from  a  mortar  in  which 

the  ingredients  were  brayed. 
Morwe,  morrow,  morning,  P.  334. 

A.S.  liiort/en  ;  cf.  f/ood  morrow. 
Morwenynge,  morning,  K.  204 ; 

lengthened  form  oi  morwe. 
Mosel,  a  muzzle,  K.  1293.      Fr. 

maseaa. 
Most  (e),  greatest,  K.  37,  1340; 

a  leader,  P.  561.     A.S.  maest. 
Mot  (e).     See  Moot. 
Motteleye,  motley,  stuff  of  mixed 

colors,  P.  271 ;    see   medle',  W. 

mnd-liw. 
Mountaunce,    amount,    K.    712. 

Fr.  monte.r,  to  go  up  ;  Lat.  mons, 

a  mountain. 
Mowe,   can.   be  able,   K.    2141. 

A.S.  magan. 
Mows,  a  mouse,  K.  403.      A.S. 

mus,    pi.    mys,   Lat.    mns,    Ger. 

mans,  Gr.  ,ui»f. 
Murmiire,  murmuring,  K.  1601. 

A   representation   of  an   indis- 
tinct sound  ;  cf.  Gr.  iSdpjSapog. 
Murtheryng,  murdering,  K.  1143. 

A.S.  morth,  Lat.  mors. 
Murye,    merry,    K.    528.      A.S. 

mi/rig. 
Myie,  a  mile,  K.  646.     A.S.  mil, 

Lat.  mil/e,  a  tliousand  (paces). 
Myn  (gen.  of  /),  of  me,  P.  782, 

K.  423. 
Mynde,  mind,  remembrance,  K. 

544,    1048;    cf.    remind.      A.S. 

mijnan,  to  remember. 
Mynour,  a  miner,  K.  1607.     Gael. 

mrinn,  ore,  a  mine. 
Mynstralcye,  minstrelsy,  K.  1339. 

O.Fr.    menestrel,    a    workman; 

Lat.  minist'-riian,  service. 
Myre,  mire,  land  so  wet  as  to  be 

impassable,   P.    508 ;    cf.  moor, 

morass.     Ger.  moor,  A.S.  mere,  a 

pool,  lake. 
Myrour,  a  mirror,  K.  541.     Fr. 

miroir,  Lat.  viirari,  to  view,  to 

admire. 


288 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Myscarie,  to  misbehave,  do  amiss, 
P.  513  ;  mis,  negative,  carry,  to 
demean  one's  self ;  cf .  deport- 
ment. 

Myselven,  myself,  for  myself,  P. 
803.  Properly  used  only  in  the 
oblique  cases. 

Myshappe,  to  go  ill  with,  to  mis- 
hap, K.  788.    Prom  mis  and  Jut  p. 

Myster,  mode  of  life,  occupation 
(need),  K.  482.  O.Fr.  mestier, 
from  Lat.  ministerium;  Fr.  metier. 

Myte,  a  mite,  K.  700.  A.S.  mite, 
any  thing  small ;  cf .  mote. 

N. 

Nacioun,  a  nation,  P.  53.     Lat. 

natio,  from  nasci,  to  be  born ; 

cf.   A.S.   ki)i, ,  from,  cennan,  to 

beget. 
Naker,  a  kettle-drum,  K.  1653. 
Nam  =  ne  am,  am  not,  K.  2G4. 
Namely,  Namelyche,  especially, 

above  all,   K.   410,  817,  1851, 

2186.     A.S.  nemlic. 
Narwe,    narrow,    close-shut,   P. 

625.     A.S.  nearwa,  from   neah, 

near. 
Nas  =  ne  was,  "was  not,   P.  251, 

550 ;  nas  not,  was  not,  P.  428. 
Nat,  not,  P.  177,  366.     A.S.  na- 

iviht,  nat. 
Nath  =  ne  hath,  hath  not,  K.  65. 
Natheles,  nevertheless,  none  the 

less,  P.  35,  K.  974.     A.S.  na- 

the-less ;  cf.  Lat.  nihilomimis. 
Ne,  not,  P.  70;  nor,  P.  179;  ne 

.  .  .  ne,  neither  .  .  .  nor ;  ne  .  .  . 

hut,  only,  P.  120. 
Neede,    needful,    P.    304.     A.S. 

neade,  Ger.  noth. 
Needes,    Nedes,    of    necessity, 

needs,  K.  oil,  2170.  A.S.  neades, 

gen.  of  7iead. 
Needes-cost,  necessarily,  K.  619. 

See  note. 
Needeth  (impers.),  needs;    ivhat 

needeth,  what  is  the  need  of,  P. 

849.     A.S.  neadian,  to  compel: 

ne-ead,  not-happiness. 
Neer,  near,   K.  581 ;  nearer,  fer 

ne  neer,  more  or  less,  K.  992. 


Neat,  cattle,  P.  597-  A.S.  nyt, 
neat,  a  beast ;  by  way  of  emi- 
nence, cattle ;  cf.  neat  leather. 

Neigh,  Neyh,  nigh,  wel  ney'h, 
nearly,  K.  472 ;  as  neigh  as,  as 
close  as,  P.  588.     A.S.  neah. 

Neighebour,  a  neighbor,  P.  535. 
A.S.  neahgebur,  near-dweller. 

Nekke,  neck,  P.  238,  K.  360.  A.S. 
hnecca. 

Ner,  Nerre,  Neer,  nearer,  P. 
838,  K.  110,  992 ;  comp.  of  near. 

Nercotykes,  narcotics,  K.  614. 

Nere  =  ne  ivere,  were  not,  K.  17. 

Newe,  recently,  newly,  P.  365, 
428.  A.S.  niive,  Ger.  neu,  Lat. 
novus,  Pr.  neuf,  Gr.  veog. 

Nexte,  nearest,  K.  555.  Supl.  of 
near;  A.S.  neah;  supl.  nyhst, 
next. 

Night,  a  night,  nights,  P.  23. 
A.S.  niht,  Goth,  nahts,  Ger. 
nacht,  Lat.  nox,  Gr.  vv^,  W.  nos. 

Nightertale,  night-time,  P.  97. 
A.S.  niht  and  tal,  a  reckon- 
ing. 

Noble,  well-known,  famous,  illus- 
trious, splendid,  P.  60,  496,  708, 
K.  1027.  Lat.  nohilis  (for  gno- 
hilis),  that  which  is  well  known  ; 
lience  (1)  conspicuous  or  illus- 
trious; (2)  possessed  of  quali- 
ties calculated  to  render  one 
illustrious. 

Noght,  not,  P.  253,  648.  A.S. 
ne-aht. 

Nolde  =  ne  wolde,  would  not,  P. 
650,  K.  45. 

Nombre,  number,  P.  716.  Fr. 
nombre,  Lat.  numerus. 

Nomoo,  no  more,  P.  101.  A.S. 
ma. 

Ndn,  Noon,  no  one;  (pi.)  no, 
none,  P.  178,  210,  594,  K.  1038. 

Nones,  for  the  nones,  for  the  occa- 
sion, P.  379.     See  note,  P.  523. 

Nonne,  a  nun,  P.  118.  Lat.  non- 
nus,  nonna,  a  monk,  a  nun. 
Literally,  grandfather,  grand- 
motlier :  cf.  j^^pe ;  i.e.,  papa, 
father. 

Noot,  Not  =  ne  wot,  know  not, 
P.  284,  K.  181,  482. 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


289 


Noote,  a  note,  P.  235.    Lat.  notns 

{gnotus).  a  mark  by  wliich  any 

thing  may  be  known. 
Norisching,  Norisschynge,  nur- 
ture,   P.    437,     K.    21^'J.     Pr. 

nourrir ;  cf.  nurse. 
Nose-thurles,    nostrils,    P.  557. 

See  note.    A.S.  %/e/,  a  hole, 

from    thfirUan,    to    pierce ;    cf . 

thrill,  triii,  drill,  throuf/h,  thoi-oit(/h. 
Not  =  ne  icot,  knows  not,  K.  405. 
Not  but,   only,    K.    1864;    O.E. 

nobbut. 
Not  heed,  a  head  with  close-cut 

hair,  P.  109. 
Nother  =  ne  other,  neither,  nor, 

K.  88,  513. 
Nothing  (adv.),  in  no  respect,  K. 

G61. 
Nought,  not,  P.  74,  107.     A.S. 

naht,  ne-a-wiht. 
Nouthe,  as  nouthe,  just  now,  at 

present,  P.  462. 
Nyce,  soft,  foohsh,  P.  398.     See 

note.     Fr.  nice,  or  A.S.  hnesc. 
Nys  —  ne  .  .  .  is,  is  not,  there  is 

no,  K.  43. 

o. 

O,  00,  one,  P.  253,  K.  354.     Ab- 
breviated from  one. 
Oath,  Oth  (e),  an  oath,  P.  120, 

810.     A.S.    ath    from    a    {aye, 

ever) ;  cf.  ae,  a  law. 
Obedient,  submissive  to  proper 

authority,  willing,  P.  851.  Lat. 

obediens  ( ob-audiens ) . 
Obeissaunce,  obedience,  K.  2116. 

Fr.  oheissance ,  Lat.  obedire. 
Observaunce,  religious  rites,  K. 

187,  1406.     Lat.  observantia. 
Of,  concerning,  in  regard  to,  P. 

177, 401 ;  of  is  also  the  regular 

sign  of  the  genitive  case  ;  off,  P. 

782,  K.  1818 ;  out  of,  K.  1665 ; 

by,  K.  2119. 
Ofifende,  to  injure,  attack,  K.  51, 

1536.     Lat.  ojfendere. 
Offensioun,  damage,  K.  1558. 
OfiFertorie,  a  portion  of  scripture 

said  or  sung  while  the  alms  is 

being  collected,  P.  710. 


Oflace,  a  position  involving  duties, 
particularly  of  a  public  charac- 
ter, P.  292 ;  fel  in  office,  entered 
service,  K.  560.     L.a.t.officinm. 

Offryng,  an  offertory  service,  P. 
450  ;  alms,  P.  489. 

Ofte  sithe  (s),  oftentimes,  P. 
485,  K.  1019.     A.S.  sith,  time. 

Ofte  tymes,  many  times,  often- 
times, K.  454. 

Oghte,  ought,  P.  660.    A.S.ar/an. 

Ok,  Ook,  an  oak,  K.  844,  1432. 
A.S.  ac,  wliich  form  is  still  pre- 
served in  acorn  =  oak-corn. 

Old  (e),  old,  P.  175.  A.S.  aid, 
Ger.  alt,  Goth,  altheis,  from  alan, 
to  nourish  ;  cf.  Lat.  alere. 

On,  00  (n),  one,  P.  148,  et  passim ; 
on  and  oon,  one  by  one,  each  by 
itself,  P.  679.  A.S.  an,  Lat. 
iinus. 

On,  against,  P.  594.  A.S.  on, 
Lat.  in. 

Ony,  any,  P.  552.     AS.  anig. 

Oones,  once,  at  oones,  at  once,  P. 
765.    A.S.  anes. 

Oonly,  only,  K.  515,  731.  A.S. 
anlic. 

Oype,  opium,  K.  614.  Gr.  bnog, 
juice  of  a  plant. 

Opynyoun,  opinion,  doctrine,  P. 
337.     Lat.  opinio. 

Or,  ere,  P.  255,  K.  771  ;  or  that, 
before  that, P.  36  ;  cf.  Lat.  antea, 
or  ever,  ere,  ever,  or  .  .  .  or, 
either  .  .  .  or,  K.  627. 

Oratorye,  a  place  for  prayer,  a 
small  chapel,  K.  1047.  Lat. 
oratorium. 

Ordeyne,  to  ordain,  K.  1695. 

Ordres  (sing,  order),  orders,  P. 
210.     Fr.  ordre,  Lat.  ordo. 

Ordynaunce,  a  public  order,  K. 
1709. 

Orisoun,  a  prayer,  K.  1514.  Fr. 
oraison,  Lat.  orafio. 

Oth,  an  oath,  P.  810.     A.S.  ath. 

Other,  either,  K.  735 ;  other  .  .  . 
or,  either  ...  or.     A.S.oththe. 

Othre  (pi.  of  other),  othre  thinr/es, 
other  things,  P.  759.    A  S.  other, 
pi.  othre. 
Ought,  aught,  P.  389.     A.S.  aht. 


19 


290 


GLOSSAEIAL   INDEX. 


Ought  (e)  (pr.  of  oice),  ought,  P. 

505.     See  note. 
Oure  (gen.  pi.  of  ive),  of  us,  our, 

P.  695,  813,  oure  alther,  of  us  all, 

P.  82a. 
Outhees,  outcry,  K,  1154.     Mid. 

Lilt.  Iiutesiuni,  Fr.  liuer,  to  shout. 
Outrage,  excess,   K.  1154.     Lat. 

ultra . 
Outrydere,  one  who   rides   well 

up  with  the  hounds  in  hunting, 

P.  166. 
Over,  upj)er,  ovet^  lippe,  upper  lip, 

P.  138.     A.S.  qfer. 
Overal,  everywhere,  P.  216,    K. 

349  ;  above  all,  chiefly,  P.  249  ; 

besides,  K.  1992.     Ger.  uheral. 
Overeste   (supl.  of  over),  upper- 
most, P.  290. 
Over-ryden  (p.p.  ridden  over),  K. 

1164. 
Overspradde    (pr.),    overspread, 

P.  678.     A.S.  spraedftn. 
Overthwart,    across,    K.     1133. 

A.S.  t/iweor,  crooked  ;  cf.  queer, 

Ger.  quer,  athwart. 
Owen,  Owne,  own,  P.  336,  804, 

K.  2219.     A.S.  a(7en,from  agan, 

to  possess. 
Owlier,  any  where,  P.  653.     A.S. 

ohivaer. 
Oxenford,  Oxford,  —  the  ford  of 

the  river   Ouse,   P.   285.     See 

note. 
Oynement,    ointment,     P.     631. 

Lat.  umjuenium. 
Oynouns,   onions,   P.    634.      Fr. 

oignon,  Lat.  unio,  A.S.  yneleac. 

P. 

Paas,  a  footpace,  P.  525 ;   paces, 

steps,  K.  1032  ;  a  paas,  at  a  pace, 

hastily,  apace,  K  1359. 
Pace,  to  pass,  P.  175,  K.  2140  ;  to 

Ijass  on,  proceed,  P.  36,  K.  744  ; 

to  surpass,  P.  574.     Fr.  passer. 
Paeient,  a  patient,  P.  415,  (adj.) 

patient,  P.  484.     Lat.  patiens. 
Page,    a    servant,    especially    a 

youth,  K.   569.     Fr.  J>age,   Gr. 

TzaLdlov. 
Paire,  a  pair,  a  set,  P.  473.     Lat. 


par,  equal,  hence  denoting  any 
thing  divided  into  equal  parts. 

Pale,  pallid,  pale,  P.  205.  Lat. 
]>allidus. 

Paleys,  a  palace,  K.  1341.  See 
note. 

Palfray,  a  saddle-horse,  P.  207. 
Fr.  pale/roi,  Mid.  Lat.  veredus ; 
cf.  Ger.  pferd. 

Palmer,  one  who  has  made  a  pil- 
grimage to  the  Holy  Land,  and 
who  wears  a  palm  branch  as  a 
token,  P.  13. 

Pan,  the  skull,  the  head,  K.  307. 
A.S.  panne,  applied  to  the  skull 
as  holding  the  brain. 

Paradys,  paradise,  K.  379. 

Paramentz,  ornamental  furni- 
ture or  clothing,  K.  1643.  Lat. 
parare ;  cf.  apparel. 

Paramour,  gallantry,  a  lover,  K. 
1254,  (adv.)  with  love,  K.  297. 
Fr.  par  amour. 

Parchaunce,  perhaps,  P.  475 ;  cf. 
par  cas. 

Parde,  an  oath,  P.  563,  K.  454. 
Fr.  par  Dieii. 

Pardoner,  a  seller  of  indulgences, 
P.  669. 

Pardoun,  a  pardon,  an  indulgence, 
P.  687,  —  the  Latin  equivalent 
of  forqiveness. 

Parfiight,  perfect,  P.  422.  Fr. 
parfait,  Lat.  perfectus. 

Parischen,  a  parishioner,  P,  482. 
Fr.  paroissien. 

Parlement :  ( 1 )  a  meeting  for  con- 
sultation, K.  2113  ;  (2)  the  de- 
crees of  such  a  meeting,  K.  448. 
Fr.  parlement. 

Part.     See  Partye. 

Parte,  a  party,  company,  K.  1724. 
Fr.  parti,  Lat.  pars. 

Partrich,  a  partridge,  P.  349.  Fr. 
perdrix. 

Party,  partly,  K.  195.  Fr.  en  par- 
tie. 

Partye,  Part,  a  party,  K.  1588, 
1799;  part,  K.  21-50. 

Parvys,  a  portico  before  a  church, 
P.  310.     See  note. 

Passant,  Passyng,  surpassing,  K. 
1249,  2027.     Fr.  passant. 


GLOSS APdAL   INDEX. 


291 


Passe,  to  surpass,  P.  448,  K.  2231. 

Patent,  an  open  letter  giving 
l)ublic  notice  ut  some  grant,  as 
ofnobilitv,  P.  315.     'La.t.  patens. 

Paye,  to  pay,  F.  539.  Lat.  pacare, 
to  satisfy. 

Payen,  pagan,  K.  1512.  Fr.  paien, 
Lat.  jMKjanus,  a  villager. 

Payne,  torture,  K  275.     A.^.pin. 

Peire,  Peyre,  a  pair,  a  set,  P.  159. 
Lat.  par,  hence  :  (1)  two  tilings 
equal  to  each  other ;  (2)  a  num- 
ber of  equal  things.  Ptijrt  plutis, 
plates  for  breast  and  back,  K. 
12G3. 

Penaunce,  penance,  P.  223;  Lat. 
poejuleiitia :  pain,  K.  457 ;  Lat. 
poena;  cf.  Gr.  (j)ov6^. 

Peples,  people,  K.  1055.  Fr.  peu- 
ple,  Lat.  jiupiihis. 

Perce,  to  pierce,  P.  2.  Fr.  percer; 
cf.  jjei'k,  prick. 

Perfight,  Perfyt,  perfect,  P.  72, 
338.     Fr.  jxirfait,  Lat.  perfectus. 

Perles,  pearls,  K.  1303.  A.S. 
jiearl. 

Perrye,  jewelry,  precious  stones, 
K.  2078.  Fr.  perre,  from  pierre, 
a  stone  ;  Lat.  pffra. 

Pers,  clotli  of  a  bluish-gray  color, 
P.  017. 

Persoun,  a  parson,  P.  478 ;  see 
note,  P.  702.  ■ 

Pertourben,  to  disturb,  K.  48. 
Lat.  pertnrbare. 

Peyne,  pain,  grief,  K.  439.  A.S. 
pin,  Ger.  pein,  hat.  poena. 

Peyne,  to  take  pains,  to  endeavor, 
P.  139.     Fr.  peiner. 

Peynte,  to  paint,  K.  1076.  Fr. 
peine! re,  Lat.  pine/ere. 

Philosofre,  a  philosopher,  an  al- 
chemist, P.  297. 

Phisik,  medicine,  P.  433  Gr. 
(pvaiKog,  natural,  —  a  singular 
satire. 

Pighte,  pitched,  thrown  head-first, 
K.  1831.  Pitch  and  pick  are 
different  forms  of  the  same 
"word. 

Pikepurs,  a  pick-pocket,  K.  1140. 

Piled,  stripped  of  hair,  bald,  P. 
627  ;  see  piiHe.  Fr.  pele',  a  bald- 
head  ;  cf.  piUarje. 


Piler,  a  pillar,  K.  1135.     A.S.  pil, 

a  stake,  a  pile,  Lat.  ^>//a. 
Pilgrimage,  a  journey  to  foreign 

lands,    especially   for   religious 

purjioses,  a  pilgrimage,  P.  13. 

Lat.  pn-'f/ritnis,  Fr.  jieierinar/e. 
Pilour,  a  plunderer,  a  pillager,  K. 

149.     Fr.  piller,  to  rob. 
Pilwe-beer,  a  pillow-case,  P.  694. 

Low  Ger.  heere,  a  pillow-case. 
Pine,   to    pine    away ;    forpjjned, 

pined  away,  P.  205.     A.S.  pin, 

pain. 
Pitanee,  an  allowance  of  appetiz- 
ing food,  to  be  eaten  with  bread, 

hence  a  small  portion,  P.  224. 

Fr.  pitanee. 
Pite  (e),  pity,  K.  62,  893.     O.Fr. 

])ile',  Lat.  pietas. 
Pitous,    compassionate,    piteous, 

pious,  K.  1437. 
Pitously,  piteously,  piously. 
Place,  residence,  P.  007  ;  an  open 

field,  K.  1541.     Fr.  place,  Ger. 

platz. 
Plat,  plain,  K.  987.    Fr.  plat,  Ger. 

platt. 
Playen.     See  Pleye. 
Playn,  clear,  plain,  P.  790.     Lat. 

j>l(inus,  level. 
Playnen,   to   complain,   K.    303. 

Fr.  plaindre,  Lat.  planc/ej'e. 
Plentyvous,  plentiful,  P.  314. 
Plesant,  Plesaunt,   pleasant,   P. 

138.     Fr  plaisant,  pleasing. 
Plesaunce,  pleasure.  K.  713. 
Plese,    to    please,    P.    010.      Fr. 

plaire,  Lat.  placere. 
Pley  (e),  play,  pleasure,  K.  267. 

A.S.  pler/a. 
Pleye    (nj,   Playen,  to   play,   to 

make  sport,  P.  236,  257.     A.S. 

plir/i(in. 
Pleyn,  full,  plenary,  P.  315.     Lat. 

plfnit.'i. 
Pleyn    (adv.),    plainly,    P.    727. 

Lat.  plane. 
Pleyne,  to  plead,  P.  327  ;  to  com- 
plain, K.  462.     Fr.  plaindre,  to 

complain. 
Pleynly,  fully,  K.  875.     Lat.  ple- 

nnin. 
Pleyynge,  amusement,  out-door 

exercise,  K.  203. 


292 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Pocok,  peacock,  P.  104.  A.S. 
pawa,  Ger.  pfau,  Lat.  pavo. 

Point,  gist  of  the  matter,  P.  790. 
Lat.  punctum,  a  prick  :  lience 
(1)  that  which  pricks;  (2)  the 
mark  made  by  a  sharp  instru- 
ment;  (3)  any  small  space  or 
time;  (4)  the  poiiit  towards 
which  discourse  aims. 

PoUax,  an  axe  fitted  to  a  handle, 
K.  1687.  A.S.  pol,  a  handle, 
"an  axe  for  knocking  one  on 
the  poll  or  head.''  Wedgwood. 

Pomel,  top  of  the  head,  K.  1831, 
O.Fr.  pommel,  Lat.  pomum,  an 
apple  ;  hence  any  thing  shaped 
like  an  apple. 

Pomely,  dappled,  pomeh/  gray, 
dappled  gray,  P.  616.  Fr.  pom- 
mt,  an  apple ;  spotted  like  an 
apple. 

Pompe,  reverential  manner,  P. 
525.  Gr.  Tco/xnTj,  a  solemn  pro- 
cession, hence  a  stately  man- 
ner. 

PoraiUe,  the  poor,  P.  247.     Fr. 

Pore,  poor.  Ft.  pauvre,  Lat.  paii- 
pe7\ 

Port,  demeanor,  carriage,  P.  69, 
138.  Fr. />y/to',  Lat.  portare;  cf. 
deportment. 

Portraiture,  a  painting,  pictures, 
K.  1110      Yr.  pourtraire. 

Portraying,  painting,  K.  1080. 

Portreyour,  a  painter,  K.  1041. 
Fr.  portraire ;  cf  portrait. 

Pose,  to  suppose*,  to  put  a  case, 
K.  304.     Fr.  appospr. 

Post,  a  support,  a  pillar,  P.  214 ; 
see  note.     Lat.  positns. 

Pouche,  a  pocket,  P.  368.  See 
note. 

Poudre-marchant,  a  sharp  sea- 
soning powder,  P.  381. 

Poure,  poor,  P.  225.  Fr.  pauvre, 
Lat.  pauper. 

Povrely,  humbly,  like  a  poor 
man,  K.  696. 

Power,  ability,  authority ;  po7ver 
of,  authority  to  grant,  P.  218. 
Fr.  pouroir. 

Powre,  to  pore,  P.  185;  allied  to 
bore. 


Poynaunt,  pungent,  highly  sea- 
soned, P.  352.  Fr.  poignant, 
Lat.  puugens. 

Poynt,  the  smallest  particle,  K. 
1908;  the  gist  of  a  matter  un- 
der discussion,  K.  2113.  See 
Point. 

Practisour,  a  practitioner,  P.  422. 

Praye,  to  pray,  P.  743 ;  to  pray 
for,  K.  404.  Fr.  prier,  Lat. 
precari. 

Preclie,  to  preach,  P.  481.  Fr. 
precher,  Lat.  predicare. 

Preest,  a  priest,  P.  164,  an  abbre- 
viation of  presbyter. 

Prelat,  a  prelate,  a  superior  clergy- 
man, P.  204.  Fr.  prelat,  Lat. 
preferre. 

Prescience,  foreknowledge,  K. 
455.     Lat.  pre-scientia. 

Prese,  to  press,  K.  1672,  Lat. 
preuiere,  ])ressum. 

Preve,  to  prove,  P.  547.  Lat. 
probare. 

Preye,  to  pray,  K.  625,  See 
Praye. 

Preyeres,  prayers,  P.  231.  Fr. 
prier,  Lat.  precari. 

Pricasour,  a  hard  rider,  P.  189 ; 
literally,  a  spurrer. 

Prike,  to  incite,  P.  11,  K.  185;  to 
ride  horseback,  K.  1820.  A.S. 
prircian,  to  prick,  to  spur. 

Prikke,  a  stab,  a  prick,  K.  1748. 

Prikyng,  riding  horseback,  P. 
191.     Prick,  a  spur. 

Prime,  six  o'clock,  a.  m.,  the  first 
quarter  of  the  artificial  day,  K. 
1331.     Li\t.  prima  hora. 

Prioresse,  the  Lady  Superior  of  a 
convent,  P.  118.     Lat.  prior. 

Pris,  Prys,  praise,  prize,  honor, 
P.  67,  237 ;  price,  P.  815 ;  prize 
(in  arms),  victory,  K.  1383; 
Ger.  preisen,  to  esteem.  Lat. 
pretium  ;  cf  praise,  prize,  price. 

Prisoun,  confinement,  imprison- 
ment, K.  165,  237,  438.  Fr. 
prison,  Lat.  prcheusio. 

Prively,  privately,  P.  609 ;  secret- 
ly, P.  652.     Lat.  pririis. 

Processe,  progress,  K.  2109.  Lat. 
processus. 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


293 


Properly,  accovfling  to  the  pecu- 
liarities of  each,  P.  729.  Lat. 
proprie. 

Propre,  pecuHar  one'vS  own;  propre 
(juod,  private  property,  P.  5^1. 
See  note. 

Proude,  valiant,  K.  1740.  A.S. 
])riU:  (1)  vigorous,  handsome; 
(2)  feeling  begotten  by  the  con- 
sciousness of  possessing  such 
qualities. 

Prys,  prize,  P.  67,  815.     See  Pris. 

Pryve,  secret,  K.  1602.  Lat. 
privns. 

Pryvyte,  secret  purpose,  privity, 
K.  5o3.     Lat.  privatus. 

Pulle,  to  pluck,  to  pulle  a  finch,  to 
phick  a  finch,  to  clieat  a  green- 
horn, P.  652  ;  pulled,  plucked, 
plundered,  and  so  poor,  a  pulled 
hen,  a  worthless  hen,  P.  177. 
Fr.  piller,  to  rob;  cf.  peeled. 

Pultrie,  poultry,  P.  598.  Fr. 
ponle,  Lat.  pulhis. 

Punyssched,  punished,  P.  657. 
Lat.  })iuiitKS. 

Purchas,  receipts  from  alms,  P. 
256 ;  any  thing  acquired  by 
effort.  Fr.  poar-chasser,  to  hunt 
after. 

Purchasyng,  prosecution,  P.  320. 
See  supra. 

Pure,  mere,  very,  the  pure  fettres, 
the  very  fetters,  K.  421. 

Purfiled,  ornamented,  embroid- 
ered, P.  193.  Fr.  pourfiler,  to 
work  on  the  edge,  to  ornament 
with  gold  thread ;  cf.  profile,  to 
p}ni. 

Purs,  purse,  P.  656.  Lat.  bursa, 
a  hide ;  cf.  bursar,  a  treasurer, 
bourse. 

Purtray,  to  draw,  to  portray,  P. 
96.     Fr.  portraire. 

Purveaunce,  Purveauns,  prov- 
idence, plan,  foresight,  K.  394, 
807,  2153.     Lat.  providentia. 

Pye,  a  pie,  P.  384,  an  abbrevia- 
tion of  ^jcs/^  (pastry).  Fr.  paste, 
pate. 

Pynche  at,  to  find  fault  with,  to 
be  captious,  P.  326.  Fr.  pincer ; 
cf.  "  to  snap  up  one." 


Pynche  (p.p.  i-pynched),  to  plait, 
P.  151.     See  I-pynched. 

Pyne,  sorrow,  pain,  K.  466.  A.S. 
l>in,  Ger.  pciii. 

Pyne,  to  torment,  to  pain,  K.  888. 
A.S.  pinan,  Ger.  peinigen. 

Pynne,  a  pin,  P.  233.  A.S.  pinn, 
W.  pin,  Gael.  ]nnne,  a  pin,  —  the 
radical  idea  is  that  of  point. 

Pynoun,  a  flag,  streamer,  pennon, 
K.  120.     Fr.  pennon. 

Q. 

Qualme,  sickness,  K.  1156.     A.S. 

cwealm,  pestilence,  death  ;  Ger. 

rpud. 
Queen,  Quen,  a   queen,    K.  10, 

24.      A.S.  cAcen,   Gotli.  qens,   a 

woman,  —  literally  a  mother  ; 

A.S.  cennan,  to  bring  forth;  cf. 

queem. 
Queynte  (pr.  oi  quench,  p.p.  queijnt), 

quenched,  K.  1453,  1476.     A.S. 

cicencan. 
Queynte,   quaint,   odd,  K.   673 ; 

strange,    wonderful,    K.    1475. 

Fr.  coint,  Lat.  corjnitus. 
Quicksilver,   mercmy,    P.    629 ; 

live-silver. 
Quod,  quoth,  said,  P.  658,  K.  49, 

376.     A.S.  cwedhan. 
Quok,     Quook     (pr.     of     quale), 

quaked,  trembled,  K.  718,  904. 

A.S.  cwacian,  Ger.  quackeln ;  cf. 

quaq-xmre,  icaq,  uyvifjle. 
Quyk,  lively,  quick.P.  306.  A.S. 

ctrlc,  Goi\\.ka-ius;  cf.  Lat.  y/yus. 
Quyke,  alive,  K.  157. 
Quyke,  to  revive,  K.  1477.     A.S. 

cwiccian. 
Quyte,  to  requite,  pay,  P.  770;  set 

free,   K.  174.     Fr.  quitter,  Lat. 

quietare  ;  cf.  quit,  acquit,  requite. 
Quytly,  freely,  quite,  at  Uberty, 

K.  934. 

R. 

Bad  (p.p.  of  rede),  read,  K.  1737. 

A.S.  raedan. 
Kafter,   a  rafter,    K.  132.     A.S. 

raefier,  from  hrae/nian,  to  sup- 


294 


OLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


port,  —  hence  the  support  of  a 
roof. 

Rage,  a  raging  (wind),  K.  1127, 
Fr.  rac/e,  Lat.  rabies;  Chaucer 
also  uses  ragerie,  wantonness. 

Rage,  to  play,  to  sport  vigorously, 
P.  257.  To  act  aimlessly  as  in 
play. 

Ransake,  to  search  thoroughly, 
Iv,  147.  Icel.  ransaka,  to  ex- 
plore. The  word  did  not  imply 
a  disorderly  search. 

Rasour,  a  razor,  K.  1559.  Fr. 
rasoir,  Lat.  radere,  to  scrape. 

Rather,  sooner,  more  willingly, 
P.487,  K.  295.  A.S.  hmthe,  oi 
one's  own  accord ;  comp.  of 
rath,  soon. 

Raughte  (pr.  of  reche),  reached, 
P.  136,  K.  2057.  A.S.  raecan, 
pr.  raehte. 

Rauneeoun,  Raunsoun,  a  ran- 
som, K.  106,  318,  347.  Fr.  ran- 
gon,  Lat.  redempflo. 

Real,  Rial,  Ryal,  royal,  regal,  K. 
160,  639.  Fr.  real,  Lat.  regalis; 
cf.  Hind,  rajah,  a  prince. 

Really,  RyaUy,  RyaUyche,  roy- 
ally, regally,  P.  378,  K.  829. 

Rebel,  a  rebel,  rebellious,  P.  833, 
K.  2188.     Lat.  re-bellum, 

Rebellyng,  rebelhon,  K.  1601. 

Reeche,  Rekke  (pr.  roghfe,  ronghte, 
to  care  for,  to  reck,  to  heed,  K. 
540,  1387.  A.S.  reccan ;  cf. 
reckless. 

Reccheles,  reckless,  P.  179.  A.S. 
recceleas. 

Reconforte,  to  recomfort,  to  com- 
fort, K.  1994.     Lat.  fortis. 

Reeorde,  to  remember,  remind, 
P.  829.     Lat.  recordari. 

Red,  an  adviser,  counsel,  P.  665. 
A.S.  raedan,  to  explain. 

Rede,  Reed  (e),  red,  P.  90,  153, 
K.  889.  A.S.  read,  Goth,  rauds, 
Ger.  roth ;  cf.  ruddij. 

Rede,  to  advise,  K.  2210,  2213. 
A.S.  raedan. 

Rede,  to  read,  P.  709.  A.S. 
raedan,  Ger.  redcn. 

Redoutyng,  reverence,  K.  1192, 
Fr.  redouter,  to  fear. 


Redy,  ready,  P.  21,  352.  A.S. 
raed,  Ger.  hereit.  Allied  to  ridan, 
to  set  out. 

Reed,  Rede,  resource,  plan,  K, 
358. 

Reeve,  an  overseer,  a  steward,  P. 
542,  599.  A.S.  gerefa,  Ger.  graf; 
cf.  sheriff,  i.e.,  shire-reeve. 

Refuge:  (1)  a  place  of  refuge; 
(2)  protection,  Iv.  862.  Lat.  re- 
fngere. 

Refreische,  to  refresh,  K.  1764. 
See  Fresshe. 

Registre,  a  record,  a  register. 
Fr.  as  from  Lat.  re-gesta. 

Reyne,  a  kingdom,  K.  8 ;  by  me- 
toiiomg,  a  king,  K.  766.  Fr.  regne, 
Lat.  regnum. 

Reherce,  to  rehearse,  P.  732.  Fr. 
rehercer,  herse  =  a  harrow  ;  lit- 
erally to  go  over  tlie  ground 
again  with  a  harrow  ;  cf.  col- 
loquial use  of  "to  rake  up  old 
stories." 

Rehersyng,  a  rehearsal,  K.  792. 

Reken,  Rekne,  to  calculate,  to 
reckon,  P.  401 ;  to  recount, 
mention,  K.  1075.  A.S.  recaw, 
to  tell,  Ger.  rechnen. 

Rekenynge,  account,  P.  600. 

Reliques,  relics,  P.  701.  Lat. 
reliquiae;  literally,  things  left; 
cf.  relict,  a  widow. 

Remedye,  remedy,  P.  475.  Lat. 
remedium,  re-niederi,  to  heal 
again. 

Remenaunt,  a  remnant,  P.  724. 
Fr.  remanant,  Lat.  remanere. 

Rendyng,  tearing,  K.  1976.  A.S. 
rendan  ;  cf.  rent,  a  tear. 

Renges,  ranks,  rows,  K.  1736. 
Fr.  renge.  Probably  allied  to 
A.S.  raecan,  to  reach,  to  stretch 
to,  —  the  idea  being  that  of  a 
line;  cf.  raiige  of  a  gun. 

Renne  (pr.  ran,  ron,  pi.  ronne,  p  p. 
ironne  {n),  ronne  {n),  to  run,  K. 
903,  1777.  A.S.  yrnan,  pr.  am, 
p.p.  nrnen  ;  Ger.  rennen ;  cf, 
errand,  rennet  (vulgo,  runnet). 

Rennyng,  running,  at  a  renngng, 
on  a  run,  P.  551. 

Renoun,     renown,     wide-spread 


GLOSSARTAL  INDEX. 


^9S 


knowledge  of  one,  P.  316.    Fr. 

renoin,  Lat.  re-no  men. 
Rente,  regular  income,  revenue, 

P.   256,    579.      Fr.    rente,   from 

rendre,   Lat.   reddere ;  el*,  render, 

r(  turns  from  an  investment. 
Rente  (pr.  of  rende),  threw  down, 

K.  132.     A.S.  rendan. 
Repentaunce,  penitence,  K.  918. 

Lat.  re-penitentia. 
R  ;pentaunt,  penitent,  P.  228. 
Repplicacioun,  reply,   rejoinder, 

K.  'J6S.     Lat.  replicatio,  literally 

a  folding  back. 
EepDrtour,   a   reporter,    P.    814. 

Lat.  re-port(tre,  to   bring  back; 

cf.  colporteur. 
Rescous,  rescue,  K.  1785.     O.Fr. 

reAcoiis,  Lat.  re-excufere,  to  fetch 

a  thing  out  of  pawn. 
Res3,  to  shake,  K.   1128.      A.S. 

hrrosan,  to  shake,  fall. 
Rssons,  sayings,  opinions,  P.  274. 

Fr.  raison,  Lat.  ratio. 
Resoun,    reflection,    reason,     K. 

908  ;  reasonable,  P.  847. 
Resowne,    to    resound,   K.    420. 

Lat.  risonnre. 
Respite,  delay,  consideration,  Iv. 

9).     O.Fr.  respit,  Lat.  respectus. 
Retenue,  knights  of,  retainers,  K. 

1644.     Fr.  retinue,  Lat.  retinere. 
Rette,  to  impute,   P.   726.     See 

Aretted. 
Reule,  a  ride,  P.  173.     A.S.  rcgol, 

Fr.  regie,  Lat.  regulci,  from  regere, 

to  direct. 
Reule,  Rewle,  to  rule,  P.  816,  K. 

814.     Lat.  regere. 
Reuthe,  pity,   K.  1533;  cf.  ruth- 
less.    A.S.  hreowinn,  to  be  sorry 

for. 
Revel,  a  noisy  gathering  or  feast, 

K.  1859.     O.Fr.  revel,  Lat.  rabu- 

Jnre ;  cf.  rabble. 
Reverence,    respect,   P.   141 ;    in 

reverence,  modestly,  P.  805.  Lat. 

reverentia. 
Rewe,   a    row,    K.    2003.     A.S. 

Taenia,  Ger.  reihe. 
Rewe  (n),  to  be  sorry  for,  to  pity, 

K.   1005,  1375.     A.S.   hreowian, 

Ger.  rcuen,  Eng.  rue. 


R3wfuUeste,     sadde!<t,    exciting 

most  pity,  K.  2028. 
Reyn,  rain,  P.  492.     A.S.  regen. 
Reyne,  a  rein,   K.  46.     Fr.  renne, 
from  Lat.  retinere. 

Reyne,  to  rain,  K.  677.  A.S. 
regnian,  Ger.  regnen. 

Reyse,  to  make  a  military  expedi- 
tion, P.  54.  A.S.  raesan,  Ger. 
reisen,  O.E.  race,  to  rush ;  cf. 
mill-race. 

Rially,  RiaUyche,  royally.  See 
Really. 

Riche,  rich,  the  rich,  P.  248.  A.S. 
ric,  wealth,  pawer,  Ger.  reich, 
Goth,  reiks,  ruler  ;  cf  Lat.  rex. 

Richesse,  riches,  K.  897.  Fr. 
richesse.  The  noun  in  English 
is  collective  with  an  apparently 
plural  termination. 

Riden  (pr.  rood,  pi.  riden,  p.p. 
riden),  to  ride,  P.  169,  328,  825. 
A.S.  ridan,  Ger.  reiten,  —  the 
original  idea  being  that  of  sway- 
ing up  and  down,  like  the 
motion  of  one  on  horseback. 

Right,  very,  P.  288,  even,  wholly ; 
P.  804  ;  exactly,  just,  right  mm, 
just  now,  P.  767 ;  rightes,  rightly, 
at  alle  rightes,  in  all  respects,  K. 
994.  A.S.  riht,  Ger.  recht,  Lat. 
7-ectus. 

Rightful,  just,  full  of  right,  K. 
861. 

Rime,  to  tell  in  poetry,  K.  601 ; 
see  note.     A.S.  rim. 

Rite,  Ryte,  a  religious  ceremony, 
K.  1044,  1426  ;  to  do  rites,  to  per- 
form religious  ceremonies.  Lat. 
rite,  in  due  form. 

Robes,  clothing,  P.  296.  Fr.  robe, 
A.S.  renf,  clothing.  From  I'ob, 
reave  [bereave),  from  the  fact 
that  they  were  originally  made 
of  skins  of  animals,  which  would 
easily  give  rise  to  the  figure  of 
robbing  one  animal  of  its  dress 
to  make  one  for  another. 

Rome,  to  roam,  K.  207  ;  see  note. 
Literally,  to  go  to  Rome. 

Ronne  (n),  pr.  pi.  of  renne. 

Rood  (pr.  of  ride),  rode,  P.  390. 

Rocs  (pr.  of  ri/se),  rose,  P.  823. 


296 


OLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


Roost,  a  roast,  P.  206. 

Koote,  rote,  by  roote,  by  rote,  P. 
327.     Fr.  route  ;  cf.  routine. 

Rore,  to  roar,  K.  2023.  A.S. 
raran. 

Roste,  to  roast,  P.  147,  884.  O.Fr. 
rostir,  Ger.  riisten,  to  roast,  from 
rost,  a  grate,  a  gridiron. 

Rote,  a  musical  instrument,  P. 
230. 

Rouke,  to  huddle,  lie  close,  K. 
460.  Wedgwood  refers  to  Dan- 
ish rur/e,  to  brood,  to  hatch. 

Rouncy,  a  hackney  liorse,  P.  390. 

Round,  full,  rotund,  protuberant, 
K.  1310.    Fr.  7'ond,  Lat.  rotundus. 

Roundel,  a  song  in  which  there 
are  repetitions,  or  a  song  with 
a  chorus,  K.  671.  Fr.  rondelet, 
a  roundehn/. 

Route,  Rowte,  a  company,  P. 
622,  K.  1295.  O.Fr.  route,  Ger. 
rotte. 

Routhe,  pity,  ruth,  it  iras  routhc, 
it  was  sorrowful,  K.  50.  See 
Reuthe. 

Rudelyche,  coarsely,  rudely,  P. 
734.  Lat.  rudis,  unwrought, 
hence  denoting  the  manners  of 
an  uncultivated  person. 

Ruggy,  rough,  ragged,  K.  2025. 
A.S.  hracod,  O.E.  rogcje,  to  tear. 

Ruschyng,  rushing,  K.  783.  A.S. 
raesan,  raes.  But  cf.  Webster's 
Diet. 

Ryal,  royal.     See  Real. 

Ryally,  royally.     See  Really. 

Ryngen,  to  ring,  K.  1742 ;  an  im- 
itative word  ;  cf.  to  diiifj. 

Rynges,  rings,  K.  1307.  A.S. 
hring,  a  circle  ;  Ger.  ring. 

Ryse  (pr.  roos),  to  rise,  P.  33. 
A.&T  risan,  pr.  ras. 

njt.=  rideth,  rides,  K.  116,  123. 
A.S.  ridan ;  3d  sing.  pres.  rit. 

s. 


Sacred,  devoted  to  pious  uses, 
holy,  K.  1063.     Lat.  sacer. 

Sad,  sober,  staid,  K.  2127.  O.E. 
sad,  tirm,  A.S.  saed,  satisfied, — 
hence  at  rest. 


Sadel,  a  saddle,  K.  1804.     A.S. 

sadel,   from  sittan ;    cf .  settle,  a 

seat ;  A.S.  setl,  Ger.  sattel. 
Sadly,    firmly,    K.    1744.      A.S. 

saed.  * 
Sake,  cause,  K.  942.     A.S.  sacu, 

strife,  suit  at  law  ;  Ger.  sache. 
Salte,    salt,  K.  422.      A.S.   sealt, 

Goth,  salt,  Lat.  sal,  Gr.  aAf. 
Salue,    to    salute,    K.    634.     Fr. 

siduer,  Lat.  salutare. 
Saluyng,  a  salutation,  K.  791. 
Sangwyn,  ruddy,  P.  333,  K.  1310. 

Lat.  sanguineus. 
Sarge,    a  coarse    woollen    stuff, 

serge,  K.  1710. 
Sauce,  sauce,  condiments,  or  veg- 
etables eaten  with  meat,  P.  129 ; 

(Morris   explains   as  =  saucer). 

Lat.  salsus. 
Sauf,   save,   except,   P.   683,   K. 

1322. 
Saugh  (pr.  of  see),   saw,  P.   193, 

764.     A.S.  seo?i,  pr.  seah. 
Save,   the  herb   sage,   salvia,    K. 

1855.     Lat.    salvere,   to    be    in 

good  heath. 
Sawceflem,  pimpled,  P.  625 ;  see 

note.     Lat.    salsum-phlegma ;  cf. 

salt-rheum. 
Sawe,  a  saying,  a  saw,  K.  305 ; 

discourse,   K.  668.     A.S.  sagu, 

from  secgan,  to  say.     The  Icel. 

form  saga  may  be  said  to  be 

ahuost  naturalized. 
Sawtrie,  a  psaltery,  P.  296. 
Sayn  (pr  seide),  to  say,  P.  284. 
Scape,  escape,  K.  249.     See  note. 
Searsly,  parsimoniously,  frugally, 

P.  583.     Lat.  excerptus. 
Schaft,  an  arrow,  K.  604.     A.S. 

sceaft,    a    shaA^ed    stick,    from 

scapan,  to  shape  ;  Ger.  scha/i. 
Schake    (pp.),  shaken,   P.    406. 

A.S.  sceacan  ;  cf.  to  shuck. 
Sehal,   shall,    P.    731 ;    see   note, 

must,  P.  853 ;  and  aij  schal,  and 

ever  must,  K.  325.    A.S.  sceal. 
Schame  :  (1)  disgrace,  K.  697  ;  (2) 

tlie  feeling  caused  by  disgrace ; 

(3)    a    similar  feeling    due    to 

modesty.      A.S.    sceamu,    Ger. 

scham. 


OLOSSAEIAL   INDEX. 


297 


Bchamfastnesse,  modesty,  P.  840. 
Now  incorrectly  spelled  shame- 
facedness. 

Schap,  shape,  form,  K.  1031.  A.S. 
scapan,  to  form,  to  shape;  cf. 
landscape . 

Schape  (n),  (p.p.  schape  (n),  to 
\)\an,  purpose,  /  tcole  schape  me 
=  I  will  plan  for  myself,  i.e.  I 
will  adjust  myself,  P.  80'J ;  fixed, 
determined,  K.  250,  534.  A.S. 
scapan,  Ger.  schaffen. 

Schaply,  fit  (in  shape),  P.  372. 

Scharp,  sharp,P.  114.  A.^.scearp, 
from  sceran  [scearfan],  to  cut; 
Ger.  scharf. 

Schave,  (p.p.),  shaven,  P.  588. 
A.S.  scafan,  Ger.  schaben,  to 
shave. 

Sche,  she.     A.S.  sen,  E.E.  scho. 

Scheeld,  a  shield,  K.  12G4.  A.S. 
scijld,  from  scy/dan,  to  protect; 
Ger.  schild. 

Scheeldes,  shillings,  crowns  —  a 
coin  marked  with  a  shield,  P. 
278.  Fr.  ecu.,  Lat.  scutum.  Shil- 
ling =  shiddhvi. 

Schene,  Seheene,  hright,  beauti- 
ful, P.  115,  K.  651.  A.^.scen, 
from  scinan,  to  shine  ;  cf.  sheen, 
Ger.  schon. 

Schent  (p.p.  of  scAewf^e),  destroyed, 
K.  1896.     A.S.  scendan. 

Schepne  (pi.  of  schepen),  stables, 
K.  1142.  A.S.  scijpen;  Ger. 
schoppen,  coach-house. 

Schere,  shears,  K.  1559.  A.S. 
sceran,  Ger.  scheren,  to  cut.  Prom 
this  root  come  share,  plough- 
share,  shire,  shore  pot-sherd,  shred, 
short,  skirt,  shirt,  sharp,  ■'<hroud,&c. 

Scherte,  a  shirt,  K.  708.  A.S. 
sceort,  short  ;  i.e.,  a  short  gar- 
ment. 

Schet  (p.p.),  shut,  K.  1739.  A.S. 
scittan,  to  lock. 

Schire,  a  county,  P.  15,  356,  584. 
A.S.  sceran,  to  divide ;  cf.  shire- 
town,  sherijf^=  shire-reeve. 

Schirreve,  a  slieriff,  reeve  of  the 
shire  or  county,  P.  359.  A.S. 
rjerefa,  Ger.  graf,  A.S.  reaf,  a 
tax-gatherer. 


Schode,  the  temple,  K.  1149. 
A.^. sceadan, to  divide;  literally 
=  the  dividing  (of  the  liair) ;  cf. 
shed,  shed-roof,  wsiter-shed. 

Scholde,  should. 

Schon  (pr.  of  srhine),  shone,  P. 
198.     A.S.  scinan,  pr.  scan. 

Schoo,  a  shoe,  P.  253.  A.S.  sceo, 
Goth,  skohs,  Ger.  schuh. 

Schort,  short,  P.  93,  549,  wanting, 
deficient,  P.  746.  From  A.S. 
sceran,  to  shear,  sceort,  short. 

Schorte,  to  shorten,  P.  791.  A.S. 
scortian. 

Schortly,  Schorteliche,  in  a  little 
time,  P.  30  ;  briefly,  P.  715  ;  in 
brief,  K.  627.     A.S.  scordice. 

Schot,  a  javelin,  a  missile  weapon, 
K.  1686.  A.S.  scot,  a  dart, 
sreotan,  to  shoot. 

Schowres,  pi.  of  schower,  P.  1. 
A.S.  sceor,  a  storm,  Goth,  skura 
vindis,  a  storm  of  wind. 

Sehrive  (p.p.  ischrive),  to  shrive, 
to  hear  confession,  P.  226.  A.S. 
scrifan. 

Schul  (n),  (pi.),  shall,  K.  889. 
A.S.  Ic  sceal,  ice  scnlon,  p.  sceo/de. 

Schulde,  should,  ought  to,  P.  249, 
745  ;  cf.  Ger.  schul  dig. 

Schulder  (pi.  schnldres),  a  shoul- 
der, P.  678.  A.^.sculder.  Prob- 
ably from. sryW,  a  shield,  alluding 
to  the  shape  of  the  shoulder- 
blades.  Wedgwood  suggests 
that  its  probable  origin  is  sliov  I. 

Schuldered,  shouldx-ed,  P.  519. 

Schyne,  a  shin,  leg,  P.  386,  K. 
421.     A.S.  scjpia. 

Schyne,  to  shine,  K.  118.  A.S. 
scinan  ;  cf.  sheen,  Ger.  schon. 

Schyveren,  to  break  in  pieces, 
to  shiver,  K.  1747.  Ger.  schief- 
ern;  cf.  A.S.  sci/ftaii,  also  to 
quiver,  shives  (of  flax). 

Science,  learning,  knowledge,  P. 
316.     Lat.  scientia. 

Scole,  a  school,  a  particular  style, 
P.  125  (Gr.  cxolri,  leisure) ;'(!) 
time  given  to  intellectual  pur- 
suits ;  (2)  a  place  where  leisure 
is  thus  employed;  (3)  a  style 
peculiar  to  those  thus  engaged 


298 


OLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


together  ;  (4)  a  particular  style 

in  general. 
Seoler,    a    scholar,    P.    260,      In 

A.S.  scolere. 
Scoleye,  to  attend  school,  P.  302. 

O.Fr.  escoloier. 
Scriptures,     writings,     K.    1186. 

Lat.  scripturae.     Now  restricted 

to  sacred  writings. 
Seche,  Seeke,  to  seek,  P.  17,  784 ; 

for  to  s^che,  to  be  sought.     A.S. 

secan. 
Seed,    seed,   P.   596.     A.S.  saed, 

from  saivan,  to  sow. 
Seek  (e),  sick,  P.  18.     A.S.  seoc, 

Goth,  sinks,  Ger.  siecli. 
Seeknesse,  sickness,  K.  398. 
Seene  (pr.  seigh,  sei/h),  to  see,  K. 

56,  P.  580,  K.  97.     A.S.  seon, 

seak. 
Seet    (pi.    seeten),   sat,   K.    1217, 

2035.     A.S.  sklan  pr.  saet. 
Sege,  a  siege,  K.  79.     Fr.  siege, 

Lat.  secies,  a  sitting  or  seat ;  in 

war  opposed  to  storm. 
Seide    (pr.  of  seije),  said,  should 

say,  P.  183. 
Seigh  (pr.  of  seene),  saw,  P.  850. 
Seistow,  sayest  thou,  K.  267. 
Seknesse,  sickness,  K.  453.     A.S. 

seocni/sse. 
Selde,'  seldom,    K.     681.       A.S. 

seld  {an),  Ger.  selten. 
Selle,   house,   hall,   P.    172.     Fr. 

salle. 
SeUe,  to  give,  P.  278.     A.S.  si/Uan, 

to  give  ;  the  original  idea  seems 

to  be  that  of  delivery. 
Sellers,  givers,  P.  248. 
Selve,  same,  that  selve  =  that  same, 

that   very,  K.  1726 ;    properly 

dat.  and  ace.  of  self.     A.S.  seolf, 

Ger.  selb. 
Seme  (v.  impers.),  to  seem,  P.  39. 

A.S.  seman,  to  seem,  to  approve. 
Semely,  becomingly,   pleasantly, 

fitly,  P.  123  ;    proper,  suitable, 

P.  751.     A.S.  seman,  Goth,  sam- 

jan,  to  please. 
Sen  (e),  seen  (e)  (pr.  seigh,  sei/h), 

to  sQQ,for  to  sene  =  to  be  seen, 

P.  134,  K.  415,  449. 
Sandal,  a  thin,  rich  silk,  P.  440. 


Sentence,  meaning,  P.  798  ;  high 
sentence  ^  of  great  pith  or  mean- 
ing, P.  306;  decision,  K.  1674. 
Lat.  sententia  ;  cf .  sententious. 

Sergeant  of  Lawe,  a  lawyer  of 
the  highest  rank,  P.  .309.' 

Sermonyng,  persuading,  preach- 
ing, K.  2233.     Lat.  sermo. 

Servage,  bondage,  serfdom,  K. 
1088.     Lat.  servire. 

Serve,  to  supply,  wait  upon,  P. 
749.     Lat.  servire. 

Servysable,  wiUing  to  perform 
service,  P.  99. 

Serye,  a  series,  K.  2209.  Lat. 
series,  a  row. 

Sesoun,  season,  P.  19.  Fr.  saison, 
Lat.  satio. 

Sessioun,  session,  P.  355.  Lat. 
sessio. 

Seten  (p.p.  of  sitte),  sat,  K.  594. 

Sethe  (p.p.  sodden),  to  boil,  P.  383. 
A.S.  seothan ;  cf.  suds. 

Sette,  to  place,  P.  507,  748 ;  sette 
asouper,  prepare  (set  out)  a  sup- 
per, P.  815.  A.S.  settnn  (causa- 
tive of  sittan),  pr,  sette,  p.p. 
geset. 

Setirte,  agreement,  security,  to 
defije  the  seurte^=  to  deny  the 
agreement,  K.  746.  An  abbre- 
viation of  security. 

Sey  (e),  Seyn  (pr.  seyde),  to  say, 
P.  181,  468.     A.S.  secgan. 

Seyh  (pr.  of  sene),  saw,  K.  97. 

Seyl,  a  sail,  P.  695.     A.S.  segel. 

Sejrnt,  a  girdle,  P.  329.  Lat. 
cinctus. 

Seynt  (e),  holy,  a  saint,  P.  173, 
697  ;  seynte  charite'=  sacred  char- 
ity, K.  863.  Fr.  saint,  Lat.  sanc- 
fus. 

Shef,  a  sheaf,  a  handful,  P.  104. 
A.S.  sceaf,  Ger.  schauh. 

Shorteliche,  briefly,  K.  627. 

Shrighte,  shrieked,  K.  1959. 

Side,  side,  P.  112.  A.S.  sid,  broad, 
vast,  long ;  Ger.  seite. 

Siege,  investment,  siege,  P.  56. 
Fr.  sie'ge  (Lat.  sedere),  a  seat: 
hence  the  capture  of  a  fortifica- 
tion by  investment,  instead  of 
by  assault. 


OLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


299 


Sigh,  a  sigh,  K.  259.  A.S.  sican, 
to  sigh,  to  si/ce,  to  act  like  a  sick 
person. 

Sight,    foresight,   providence^   K. 

Signe,  a  sign,  P.  22G.     Fr.  sir/ne, 

Lat.  signam  ;  cf .  sit/naJ. 
Sik  (e),  sick,  P.  245.     A.S.  sic, 

seoc  ;  cf .  sican,  to  sighr 
Sike,  a  sigh. 
Sike,  to  sigh,  K.  682.     A.S.  sican  ; 

cf.  sick. 
Siker,     sure,    certain,    K.    2191. 

Ger.  sicher ;  cf.  Lat.  securus. 
Sikerly,  surely,  certainly,  P.  137. 
Siknesse,  disease;  in  O.E.  gener- 
ally denoting  epidemics,  as  the 

Plague,  P.  493.     A.S.  seocrujsse. 
Singe  (pr.  soiiq,  p.p.  sonqe,  sinu/e), 

to  sing,  P.  711,  K.  197.     A.S. 

singan,  pr.  sang,  p.p.  sungen. 
Sire,  sir  (a  title  of  respect),  P. 

355.     Lat.  senior. 
Sistren  (pi.  of  sister),  sisters,  K. 

1(31  ;  cf.  brethren. 
Sith  (e),  time,  times,   ofte  sithes, 

ofte  sithe  =  often  times,  P.  455, 

Iv.  1019.     A.S.  sith. 
Sith,  Siththen,  since,  afterwards, 

K.  72,  434;  siththen  that  =  since, 

K.    1244.     A.S.  sith,  time,  silh 

than  (^)os^m),  afterwards;    Ger. 

seit. 
Sitte   (pres.  3d  sing,  sit,  pr.  sat, 

p.p.  seten),  to  sit,  K.  741,  594. 

A.S.  sittan  [he  sit),  pr.  saet,  p.p. 

seten. 
Sittyng,  staying,  P.  638. 
Skalled,  having  the  scall,  or  scab, 

P.  627  ;    cf.   sca/fZ-head.      A.S. 

scgl,  a  scale,  scijlan,  to  separate. 
Skathe,  loss,  misfortune,  P.  446. 

A.S.  sceathan,  Ger.  schaclen. 
Sklendre,  slender,  P.  587.     From 

a  root  signifying  to  danqle. 
Skyn,  skin,  K.  1284.     A.S.  scin. 

Probably  from  scinan,  to  appear, 

to  shine. 
Slake,  slow,  slack,  K.  2043.     A.S. 

slaec,  from  slaw,  slow. 
Slee  (n),    Slen  (pr.    slough   slowh, 

p.p.  sl.ayn),  to  slay,  P.  63,  661, 

K.  122,  260,   1608.     A.S.  slean 


(slagan),    pr.    sloh,   p.p.   slagen; 

Ger.  scldagen;  iti.  slaughter,  sledge, 

sleet. 
Sleep,  Slep  (pr.  of  slepen),   slept, 

P.  98,  397,  K.  616. 
Sleere,  a  slayer,   K.  1147.     A.S. 

sluga. 
Sleeve,    Sieve,   a   sleeve,  P.   93. 

A.S.  slef,  atefan,  to  put  on. 
Sleighly,  prudently,  K.  586 ;  see 

note.     O.N.  slaegr,  cunning. 
Sleighte,   cunning,    contrivance, 

craft,  P.  604. 
Slepen  (pr.  sleep,  slep),  to  sleep, 

P.  10,  98,  397,  K.  616.     A.S. 

slaepan,    pr.    slep,    p.p.    slaepen ; 

Ger.  schlafen. 
Slepy,  sleep-inducing,  K.  529. 
Shder,   slippery,   K.   406.      A.S. 

slidh,  slippery,  slidan,  to  slide; 

cf.  sled,  sleigh. 
Sloggardye,  sluggishness,  K.  184 ; 

allied  to  slack  —  lag,  with  inten- 
sive s. 
Slough,  Slowh.     See  Slee. 
Snierte  (pr.  smerte),  (v.  impers.), 

to  pain,  grieve,  P.  230,  534,  K. 

536.     A.S.   smeortan,  to   smart, 

Ger.  schmerz. 
Smerte,  smartly,  i.e.  so  as  to  cause 

pain,  P.  149. 
Smite,    Smyte    (pr.     sing,    smot, 

smoot,      pi.      sniiten,      imp.      pi. 

smiteth),  to  smite,  P.  149,  782. 

A.S.    smitan ;    pr.    ic   smat,    we 

sndton. 
Smothe,    smooth,    smoothly,    P. 

676.       A.S.    sniethe  ;    cf.     Ger. 

schnueden,    to     hammer;      also 

sfiiith. 
Smyler,    a    hypocrite,    K.    1141. 

See  note ;  cf.  Ger.  schmeicheln. 
Smyhng,  smiles,  P.  119.     Danish 

sinile. 
Smyteth.     See  Smite. 
Smyth,    one   who   forges   with  a 

hammer,    a    smith,    K.    1167. 

A.S.  smith. 
Snare,  a   snare,  a   net,   K.   632. 

A.S.  sneare,  Ger.  schnur,  a  string ; 

cf.  a  snai'e  drum,  —  a  drum  with 

a  string  across  the  head. 
Snewede,  abounded,  P.  345. 


300 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Snybbe,   to  rebuke,  to  snuh,  P. 

623  ;  an  intensive  form  of  nip ; 

cf.  snip,  snub-nose. 
Soberly,   sad,  soberlike,   P.   289. 

Fr.  sobre,  Lat.  sobrie. 
Socour,   assistance,   K.   60.      Fr. 

secours,  Lat.  succiirrere. 
Sodeyn,  sudden.  Fr.  soudain,  A.S. 

soden. 
Sodeynly,  Sodynliche,  suddenly, 

violently,   K.  200,   717.     A.S. 

soden  lice. 
Solas,  solace,   pleasure,    P.   798. 

Fr.  solas,  Lat.  solatium. 
Solempne,    festive,   P.  209 ;    im- 
portant, P.  364.     Lat.  solemnis. 
Solempnely,    pompously,      with 

affected  dignity,  P.  274. 
Solempnity,  a  feast,  K.  12. 
Som  (pi.  some),  one,  some,  P.  640; 

som  .  .  .  som  =  one  .  .  .  another, 

K.    397,    399.     A.S.   sum,  som, 

some,  one,  some  one. 
Somdel  (e),  somewhat,   P.    174, 

446,  K.  1312.     A.S.  duel,  a  part ; 

cf.  dole,  good  deal,  to  deal. 
Somer,   summer,   P.    394.      AS. 

sumer,  Ger.  sommrr,  allied  to  sun. 
Soraetime,  a  while,  P.  65  ;  some 

=  a,  one. 
Sompnour,  a  summoner,  a  sort  of 

sheriff    for     the    ecclesiastical 

court,  P.  543.     Lat.  sub  monere. 
Sondry,    sundry,    sondrij    londes, 

lands  widely  separated,  P.  14. 

A.S.  si/ndrig,  sundor  =  separate ; 

Ger.  sondern. 
Sone,  a  son,  P.  79.     A.S.  sunu, — 

from  root  su,  to  beget. 
Sone,  soon,  K.  562.     A.S.  sona, 

Goth.  suns. 
Song  (e).     See  Singe. 
Sonne,  the  sun,  P.  7,  K.  5.     A.S. 

sunne,  Goth,  snnno,  Ger.  sonne. 
Soot  (e),  sweet,  K.    2002.     A.S. 

sirnt,  siref,  Lat.  sua  vis. 
Sop,  a  small  bit,  sop  in  wt/n,  bread 

dipped  in  wine,  P.   334.     A.S. 

supan,  Goth,   snpon,  to  soak,  to 

dip  bread  in  sauce. 
Soper,  that  which  is  sopped  or 

supped,  dessert,   delicacies,   P. 

348.     A.S.  supan;  cf.  sip,  soup. 


Sore,  grief,  K.   1375.     A.S.  sar; 

cf.  sorry. 
Sore,  Soor,  severe,  K.  897 ;  sore, 

sad,  K.  1837. 
Sore,  (adv.),  sorelv,  severely,  P. 

230,  K.  257.    A.S".  save,  Ger.  sehr. 
Sort,  lot,  destiny,  P.  844.     Lat. 

sors. 
Sorw3,  sorrow,  K.  93,  361.     A.S. 

sorh,  Ger.  sorge. 
Sorwe,  to  grieve,  to  sorrow,  K. 

1966.     A.S.  sorc/ian. 
Sorrowful,  full  of  grief,  K.  212. 
Sory,  sorrowful,  K.  1140.     A.S. 

sarig. 
Soth,  truth,  true,  P.  845 ;  for  sothe, 

in  truth,  P.  283  ;  soth  to  sayn,  to 

tell  the  truth  ;  fal  soth  is  seyd, 

full  true  is  it  said,  K.  767.  A.S. 

soth,  truth,  true  ;  cf.  soothsayer, 

for-sooth,  in-sooth. 
Sothely,    truly,    P.    117.      A.S. 

sothlice. 
Sotil,    Sotyl,  skilfully  arranged, 

subtle,  K.  196 ;  skilful,  K.  1191. 

Lat.  subtilis. 
Soule.     See  Sowle. 
Soun,  a  sound,  P.  674.  Lat.  somts. 
Souper,  a  supper,  P.  748.     A.S. 

supan,  Fr.  souper. 
Souple,   pliant,   flexible,   P.  203. 

Fr.  souple,  Lat.  suppnex. 
Sowe,  a  sow,  P.  552.     A.S.  sug, 

Lat.  sus,  Ger.  vg,  and  Eng.  swine, 

are  allied. 
Sowle,  Soule,  the  soul,  P.  781,  K. 

1005.    A.^.sawel,Goi\\.saiwala, 

Ger.  seek. 
Sowne,to  sound,  P.  565;  soivni/nge, 

sounding,  boasting,  P.  275  ;  har- 
monizing with,  P.  307.     Fr.  son- 

ner,  Lat.  sonarc. 
Spak  (pr.  oispeken),  spake,  P.  124. 
Spare,    to  refrain  from,    P.   192, 

737.     A.S.  sparian. 
Sparre,  a  bar,   the  timbers  of  a 

building,  K.  132.     A.S.  sparran, 

to  bolt. 
Sparthe,  a  battle-axe,  K.  1662. 
Speche,  speech,  more  speche,  fur- 
ther words,  P.  783.     A.S.  spaec. 
Special,  in  special,  especially,  P. 

444. 


OLOBSARIAL  INDEX. 


301 


Speede  (pr.  spedde),  to  speed,  to 

wish    success   to,    P.    769 ;    to 

hasten,  K.  o59.     A.S.  spedan. 
Speken  (pr.   apak),  to  speak,  P. 

142.     A.S.  specan,  spreaoi. 
Spende  (pr.  spente,  p.p.  spent),  to 

expend,  P.  300,  645,  806.     A.S. 

speudan ;    cf .  Lat.  expendere,   to 

weigh  out. 
Spare,   a   spear,    K.    117.      A.S. 

spere. 
Spiced,  drugged,  and  so  changed 

in    its    nature,    P.    526.       See 

note. 
Spicerie,  spices,  K.  2077. 
Spices,  species,  kinds,  K.    2155. 

Fr.  e'pices,  Lat.  species. 
Spirites,   spirits,    animal  spirits, 

K.  511.     See  note. 
Spores,    spurs,    P.     473.       A.S. 

spura  ;  ci.  spurn,  spear. 
Sprad   (p.p.),    spread,    K.    2045. 

A.S.  sprdfdnn. 
Springen,  Sprynge  (p.p.  spj-on^e), 

to  spring  up   (of  the  day),  to 

dawn,    P.    822,    K.    579,    1315, 

1351.     A.S.  sprenr/an,   to  burst 

fortli ;  cf.  daipbrealc. 
Squar,  square,  size,  K.  218;   see 

note.     Fr.  esquarre,  Lat.  quadra, 

from  quatuor,  four. 
Squyer,  an  attendant  who  bore 

the  knight's  shield,  P.  79;  squi/er 

of  the  chamhre,  "  Knight  of  the 

iloyal    Bedchamber,"    K.    582. 

Fr.  €cu}jer,  a  squire  [ecu,  a  shield)  : 

(1)    an   armor-bearer;    (2)  one 

having  the  right  to  carry  arms  ; 

(3)  any  person  of  distinction. 
Stable,  a  stable,  a  standing-place, 

P.  28.     Lat.  stabulum,  from  stare, 

to  stand;  cf.  A.S.  steal,  a  room. 
Stabled,    established,    K.    2137. 

O.Fr.  establir. 
Stalke,  a  stalk,  K.  178.     Danish, 

stilk,  a  handle  ;   allied  to  stock, 

stick. 
Stalke,  to  walk  slowdy,  stealthily, 

K.  621.     A.S.  staeJcan,  to  walk 

witli  feet  lifted  high. 
Starf.     See  Sterve. 
Statue,  statue,  K.  117.     ¥t.  statue, 

Lat.  statua,  stare. 


Statute,  a  law  enacted  by  a  legis- 
lative body,  as  distinguislied 
from  the  unwritten  law,  P.  327. 
Fr.  statnt,  Lat.  statuere. 

Staves  (pi.  of  stajf),  bludgeons, 
statis,  K.  1652.     A.S.  stucj'. 

Stede,  place,  in  stede,  in  place,  in- 
stead, P.  231.  A.S.  stede;  cf. 
hed-s'tead,  steady,  steadin^t. 

Steede,  a  horse,  a  steed,  K.  1637. 
A.S.  steda,  a  horse;  cf.  stud. 

Steep,  bright,  P.  201.  Semi- 
Saxon,  steap ;  so  "  stcpe  stones, 
"  stepe  starres." 

Steer,  a  steer,  a  yearling  bullock, 
K.  1291.  A.S.  steor;  cf.  Lat. 
taurus. 

Stele  (pr.  stal,  p.p.  stole,  stolen),  to 
steal,  P.  562.  A.S.  stelan,  Ger. 
sUdib'n,  Goth,  stitan. 

Stemede,  shone,  P.  202.  O.E. 
steeni,  a  flame. 

Stenten  (pr.  sfente,  p.p.  stent),  to 
stop,  to  check,  K.  45, 510.  A.S. 
sfintan,  to  be  blunt ;  cf.  stunt, 
stint,  stent. 

Sterne,  strong,  K.  1296.  A.S. 
Sterne. 

Sterre,  a  star,  P.  268.  A  S. 
steorra,  a  star,  steorran,  to  steer, 
i.e.  by  the  stars  ;  cf.  star-board  = 
steer-side ;  cf.  also  A.S.  streou-nn, 
to  strew.  Sansc.  stri,  to  scatter, 
Gr.  ucTTip,  Lat.  stella  (steru/a). 

Stert,  a  bound,  at  a  stert  (at  a 
bound),  quickly,  K.  847. 

Sterte  (pr.  sterte,  p.p.  stert),  to 
start,  leap,  K.  94,  186,  222,  644. 
Dutch,  storten,  Ger.  stUrzen;  cf. 
st((rtle. 

Sterve  (pr.  starf,  p.p.  istorve,  stor- 
ven),  to  die,  K.  75,  286.  A.S. 
steor  fan,  Ger.  sterben,  Eng.  starve: 
(1)  to  die  by  hunger;  (2)  to  die 
by  any  means. 

Steven,  voice,  K.  1704  ;  at  unset 
stevene,  witiiout  previous  ap- 
pointment. A.S.  stefn,  a  voice, 
an  agreement. 

Stev/e,  a  fish-pond,  P.  350.  From 
Dutch  stau,  a  dam. 

Stif,  strong,  firm,  P.  673.  A.S. 
stif,  A.S.  steif. 


302 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Stille,  quietly,  still,  K.  145.    A.S. 

sti/le. 
Stith,   an   anvil,   K.   1168.     A.S. 

st/'th,  a  post,  (adj.)  firm;   from 

sfandan,  to  sUind;  cf.  stithij. 
Stiward,  a  steward,  P.  579.     A.S. 

stiward  =  stowe-weard ,  the  keeper 

of  a  mansion  or  place  :    hence, 

overseer  in  general ;  cf.  stow,  a 

place. 
Stok,  stock,  family,  K.  693.     A.S. 

stoc,  a  trunk. 
Stoke  =  steke,    to   stick,   stab,   K. 

1688.     AS.  sticinn,  to  stab. 
Stomble,  to  stumble,  to  walk  as 

on  stumps,  K.  1755. 
Stones,  gems,  precious  stones,  P. 

609. 
Stonge  (n)  (pp.),  stung,  stabbed, 

K.  2"21.     A.S.  stim/an,  stick,  to 

stab,  is  allied. 
Stoon,  a  stone,  P.  774.     A.S.  start, 

Ger.  stein,  Goth,  stains. 
Stoor,    store,   property,    P.    598. 

O.Fr.  estor. 
Stories,  histories,  K.   1297.     An 

abbr.  of  history. 
Stot,   a  stallion,   P.   615.      A.S. 

stotte,  stod,  a  horse. 
Stounde,  a  moment,  an  hour,  K. 

354.     A.S.  stnnd,  Ger.  stande. 
Stoute,   Stowte,  strong,  P.  545; 

bold,  K.  1276;    cf.  stout-hearted. 

A.S.  stolt,  Ger.  siolz. 
Strangle,    strangling,    K.    1600. 

Lat.  strangulare. 
Straughte       (pr.      of      strecche), 

stretched,    K.    2058;     cf    dis- 
traught. 
Straunge,  foreign,  P.  13.     O.Fr. 

estrange,  Lat.  exlraneus. 
Stre   (e),  straw,   K.  2060.     A.S. 

stre,  splints,  streow,  straw,  streow- 

ian,    to    scatter :    hence,    that 

which  is  spread;   cf.  Lat.  ster- 


nere. 


Strecche  (pr.  sfm.^^/i^e),  to  stretch. 

A.S.  strercan,  pr.  stnht.e. 
Streem,  a  stream,  current,  P.  402; 

beams  of    light,  K.  637.     A.S. 

stream,  Ger.  stroni. 
Streepe,  to  strip,  K.  148.     A.S. 

strupan,  Ger.  streifen. 


Streyt,  strict,  narrow,  P.  174; 
direct,  K.  832.     Lat.  strictus. 

Streyt  (e),  closely,  P.  457  ;  imme- 
diately, straiyk-wsiy,  P.  671,  K. 
792. 

Strif,  Stryf,  strife,  contest,  K. 
976,  1580.  O.Fr.  estrif,  Ger. 
streben . 

Strike  [of  flax),  a  handful  that 
may  be  hackled  at  once,  a  hank, 
P.  676.  From  the  verb  to 
strike. 

Strof  (pr.  oi  stryve),  vied  with,  K. 
180. 

Strond,  a  strand,  a  beach,  P.  13. 
A.S.  strand,  border,  edge. 

Strong,  sinewy,  strong,  mighty, 
K.  566,  1515.  A.S.  Strang; 
cf.  string. 

Strook,  a  stroke,  K.  843.  From 
strike. 

Stryve  (pr.  strof),  to  strive,  to  vie 
with,  to  dispute,  K.  180,  819. 
O.Fr.  estriver,  Ger.  streben. 

Stubbes,  stubs,  stumps,  trees 
broken  off  at  some  distance  from 
the  ground,  K.  1120.  A.S.  stijb ; 
cf.  stubble,  stump. 

Stynte  (pr.  sti/nte),  to  stop,  cease, 
K.  476,  1490.     See  Stente. 

Subtilly,  craftily,  P.  610.  Lat. 
subtilis  —  fine-spun. 

Suflasaunce,  a  sufficiency,  that 
which  suffices,  P.  490. 

Suffisaunt,  suflicient,  K.  773.  Pr. 
suffisant,  Lat.  sufficiens. 

Sunge.     See  Singe. 

Surcote,  an  overcoat,  P.  617.  Fr. 
sur  =  over. 

Surgerye,  the  surgical  art,  P.  413 ; 
for  surgeon?!/ ;  surgeon  is  con- 
tracted from  chirurgeon.  Gr. 
Xeipovpyia,  literally,  handicraft. 

Sustene,  to  sustain,  K.  1135. 
Lat.  sustinere. 

Suster,  sister.  A.S.  siveostor,  Goth. 
swistar,  Ger.  schwester,  Sansc. 
swasri. 

Sute,  a  suit  (cloth),  K.  2015.  Fr. 
suite,  suirre,  to  follow  ;  hence 
denoting  things  belonging  to- 
gether, "a  suit  of  clothes,"  "a 
suit  of  rooms." 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


303 


Swan,    a    swan,    P.    206.      Ger. 
schwan ;    cf.    A.S.    swinsian,    to 


sing. 


Swelte  (pr.  sicelte),  to  sigh  like  a 
I)erson  tainting,  to  faint,  K.  498. 
A.S.  sweliaii,  to  die  ;  cf.  sweiier. 

Swerd,  a  sword,  F.  112.  A.S. 
siceord,  Ger.  sc/acert. 

Swere  (pr.  saw,  swoor,  p.p.  i- 
swore  (n),  to  swear,  affirm,  P. 
454,  810  ;  see  note,  K.  003. 
A.S.  swerian,  to  swear;  cf.  an- 
swer =  and-swear,  to  speak  in 
return;  A.S.  swarian,  to  an- 
swer. 

Swete,  sweet,  P.  5,  265.  A.S. 
swete,  O.S.  swoti,  Gotli.S(;//s  (for 
swot  is),  Lat.  suavis,  Ger.  siiss. 

Swich,  such,  so  great,  P.  3,  K.  4. 
A.S.  swi/c  (swa-lic). 

Swote,  Swoote,  sweet.  See 
Swete. 

Swough,  a  storm,  the  noise  made 
by  a  storm  in  the  trees,  —  tlie 
songhirici  (sigliing)  of  the  wind, 
K.  1121.     A.S.  sweg,  a  sound. 

Swoune,  to  swoon,  K.  55.  A.S. 
swiiucm. 

Swymbel,  a  moaning,  K.  1121  ; 
dim.  of  O.E.  sicim,  sighing.  A.S. 
swima,  giddiness  ;  cf.  a  "  swim- 
ming in  tiie  head." 

Swyn  (s.  &  pi.),  swine,  P.  598. 
A.S.  sicin,  Ger.  schwein,  Goth. 
swein.     Allied  to  soiv. 

Swynk,  labor,  toil,  P.  188.  A.S. 
SIC  inc. 

Swynke,  to  labor,  toil,  P.  186. 
A.S.  swincan,  allied  to  swing; 
cf.  "  a  swingeiuf/  blow." 

Swynkere,  a  laborer,  P.  531. 

Syde,  side,  upon  that  other  sjjdt,  on 
the  other  hand,  K.  417. 

Syke,  a  sigh,  K.  1062. 

Syke,  to  sigh,  K.  2127.  A.S. 
si/can,  to  sigh,  si/ce. 

Symple,  artless,  guileless,  P.  119. 
Lat.  simplex. 

Syn,  since,  P.  601,  853;  an  abbr. 
of  sithens,  sithen.  A.S.  sith-than  ; 
cf.  sifh. 

Syth,  since,  K.  72,  afterwards. 
A.S.  sith. 


T. 

Tabard,  a  sleeveless  coat  em- 
broidered with  the  arms  of  the 
wearer,  originally  worn  by 
noblemen,  —  subsequently  worn 
by  heralds  ;  hence  any  similar 
coat,  a  farmer's  blouse,  P. 
541. 

Table,  a  table,  P.  100.  Fr.  table, 
LaVtalnUa.  The  A  S.  for  table 
is  bord. 

Taflfata,  taffeta,  a  fine  silk  stuff", 
P.  440. 

Taille,  tally,  took  by  taille,  bought 
on  credit,  P.  570.  Fr.  tailler,  to 
cut,  —  alluding  to  the  method 
of  keeping  accounts  by  notches 
cut  in  a  stick  ;  cf.  retail,  detail, 
tailor. 

Take  (pr.  toh,  took,  p.p.  take  (n), 
imp.  s.  tak,  pi.  taketh),  to  take; 
to  take  our  weije,  to  journey,  P. 
34,  789,  K.  1789.  A.^.tacan; 
allied  to  Lat.  tanejere,  to  touch ; 
hence  :  ( 1 )  to  receive  any  thing 
in  the  hand;  (2)  to  take  hold 
of;  (3)  to  begin  any  thing. 

Takel,  an  arrow,  tackle,  P.  106  ; 
an  outfit,  —  what  one  takes, 
what  is  necessary.  A.S.  tacan, 
to  attach. 

Tale,  a  discourse,  story,  K.  30, 
•719.  A.S.  taelan,  to  blame,  tel- 
lan,  to  speak,  tael,  a  story,  a 
slander  ;  cf.  to/e-bearer,  teW-tale. 

Talen,  to  tell  tales,  P.  772.  A.S. 
taelan. 

Tallage  =  to  allege,  K.  2142. 
Lat.  allegare. 

Tame,  tame,  subdued,  K.  1320. 
A.S.  tain,  Ger.  z(dun  ;  cf.  temian, 
to  tame,  to  yoke ;  Lat.  doniare, 
Gr.  daimv,  to  tame 

Tapicer,  a  maker  of  tapestry,  P. 
362.     Fr.  tapis. 

Tappestere,  a  tapster,  P.  241  ; 
tap  is  allied  to  stop.  A.S.  tap- 
pestre. 

Tare,  the  vetch,  —  used  to  denote 
any  small  amount,  K.  712. 

Targe,  a  small  shield,  P.  471.  Fr. 
targe,  dim.  target. 


3^4 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Tarie,  to  tarry,  K.  1962.  O.Fr. 
targer ;  cf.  Lat.  tardus. 

Tart,  sharp,  pungent,  P.  381. 
A.S.  teart,  from  tearan,  to  tear. 
Tart,  the  noun,  is  from  ¥r. 
tarte,  Lat.  tortus. 

Taryinge,  delay,  P.  821 ;  cf.  tardy. 

Tas,  Taas,  a  heap,  K.  147,  151, 
1G2.     Fr.  tas. 

Tathenes  =  to  Athens,  K.^  165. 

Tavern,  an  inn,  P.  240.  'Fr.  ta- 
verne,  Lat.  labema,  a  liut  made 
of  boards ;  lience  a  boarding 
place  ;  as  board  =  table. 

Teche,  to  teach,  P.  308, 482.  A.S. 
taecan. 

Teene,  mischief,  harm,  K.  2248. 
A.S.  teona,  injury. 

Tempest,  a  storm,  P.  406  (see 
note)  ;  a  notable  time,  K.  26. 

Tendite  =  to  endite,  tell,  K.  351. 

Tendre,  tender,  P.  6 ;  soft,  P. 
150.     Fr.  tendre,  Lat.  tener,  soft. 

TentCj  a  tent,  K.  163.  Fr.  tente, 
Lat.  tendere,  to  stretch. 

Teres,  tears,  K.  422.  A.S.  tear, 
iaeher,  Goth,  tagr,  Gr.  Jckpu, 
Lat.  laa-yma,  W.  deigr. 

Terraes,  sessions  of  the  court,  P. 
323;  terms,  technical  terms,  P. 
639;  hmit,  end,  K.  171.  Fr. 
terme,  Lat.  terminus,  a  limit; 
hence:  (1)  an  end;  (2)  a  logical 
term,  —  the  ends  of  a  proposi- 
tion; (3)  that  which  is  ended, 
e.g.  a  term  of  years. 

Testers,  head-pieces,  helmets,  K. 
1641.     O.Fr.  teste,  the  head. 

Text,  a  text,  the  subject  of  dis- 
course, P.  177.  Fr.  texte,  Lat. 
text  us. 

Thabsence  =  the  absence,  K. 
381. 

Thank,  thanks,  P.  612;  his  thonkes, 
of  his  own  accord,  willingly, 
eagerly,  K.  768,  1249;  here 
thankes,  of  their  own  accord, 
eagerly,  K.  1256.  A.S.  thane, 
thencan,  to  remember. 

Than  (ne),  then,  P.  12. 

Tharraes  =  the  arms,  the  branches, 
K.  2058. 

Tharray  —  the  array,  P.  716. 


That,  Avho,  P.  310;  to  that   de. 

gree,  so  that,  K.  581,  1568. 
Thavys  =  the   adcice,   the   agree- 
ment, the  sanction,  K.  2218. 
The,  thee,  K.   225,  335  (adv.  ^ 

eo),  the  more  —  more  by  this,  P. 

802.     See  note. 
Theatre,    an    amphitheatre,    K. 

1027.     From  the  Gr.  to  view. 
Theef,  a  thief,  K.  467.     A.S.  iheof, 

Goth,  thiubs,  Ger.  dieb. 
Theflfect  =:  the  effect,   the  result, 

K.  331 ;  the  conclusion,  K.  629. 
Thei,  they,  P.  745.     See  note. 
Thencens  =  the  incense,  K.  1419. 

Fr.    encens,    Lat.    incendere,    to 

burn. 
Thenchauntementz  =  the      en- 
chantments, K.  1086. 
Thencres  =  the  increase,  P.  275. 
Thentre  =  the  entrance,  K.  1125. 

Fr.  entree. 
Ther  (indefinite  pron.),  there,  P. 

43,  79 ;  where,  P.  34,  647 ;  on 

this  occasion,  P.  259 ;  then,  K. 

321;  ther  as  =  whither,  to  that 

(place)  which,    P.   34;    Avhere, 

in  that  (place)  which,  P.   172, 

249,    K.    126  ;    ther    as,     there 

where,  K.  2000. 
Ther  fore  (  =  for  this),  for  this 

reason,  therefore,  P.  189,  444. 

A.S.  for-tham. 
Therto  (=to  this),  besides,  also, 

in  addition,  P.  153,  325,  536; 

eek  therto,  and  also,  P.  757,  K. 

566;  to  it,  K.  1251. 
Therupon  (=  upon  this),  at  this 

time,  P.  819. 
Therwith    (=  with    this),   then, 

upon  that,  K.  441  ;  cf.  thereupon. 
Therwithal  (=  wholly  with  this), 

therewith,    with   this,   P.   566 ; 

at  tliat  very  time,  K.  220. 
Thes,  these,  K.  673. 
Thestat  =  the  estate,  P.  719. 
Thider,   thither,   K.  834.      A.S. 

thider,  from  the. 
Thikke,  close  together,  K.    217. 

A.S.  thin,  Ger.  dirk. 
Thilke,  that,  the  like,  P.  182,  K. 

335.     A.S.  thillic,  thijlc ;  literally 

like  this,  or  that. 


GLOSSABIAL  INDEX, 


305 


Thing  (s.  and  pi.),  a  portion,  to 
make  a  thing,  lo  write  a  poem, 
P.  325  ;  litel  thing,  a  small  por- 
tion, P.  490 ;  incidents,  things, 
P.  736.  A.S.  thincg.  '"Die 
primitive  meaning  seems  to  be 
discourse,  tiien  solemn  discus- 
sion, judicial  consideration, 
council,  court  of  justice,  law- 
suit, cause,  sake,  matter,  or 
subject  of  discourse."  Wedg- 
wood. Allied  to  thencan,  to  call 
to  mind. 

Thinke,  Thynke,  pr.  thoughte  (v. 
impers.),  to  seem,  me  thinketh, 
it  seems  to  me,  P.  37  ;  if.  thoughte 
me,  it  seemed  to  me,  P.  385  ;  him 
thoughte,  it  seemed  to  him,  P. 
682  ;  ns  thoughte,  it  seemed  to  us, 
P.  785.     A.S.  thincan. 

Thinke  (v.  pers.),  to  remember, 
to  think,  K.  748.     A.S.  thencan. 

Thinne,  thin,  small  in  quantity, 
P.  679.  A.S.  thyn,  thenian,  al- 
lied to  Lat.  tendere,  to  stretch. 

Thirle,  to  pierce,  K.  1852.  A.S. 
thirlian,  to  i)ierce,  clriU,  from 
thurh,  through ;  cf.  thrill,  trill, 
drill,  nos-tril. 

Thise,  these,  P.  701.     A.S.  thaes. 

The  (pi.),  the,  those,  P.  498,  K. 
265  ;  them,  K.  1493.     A.S.  tha. 

The,  then,  K.  135.     A.S.  tha. 

Thoflace  =  the  office,  the  sacred 
duty,  K.  2005.     Lat.  ofjicium. 

Thonke.     See  Thank. 

Thorisoun  =  the  orisoun,  prayer, 
K.  1403.  O.Fr.  orison,  Lat. 
oratio,  from  orare,  to  pray. 

Though,  although,  though  that, 
although  it  be  that,  P.  68.  A.S. 
theah,  the  demonst.,  uh  (Lat. 
ce,  que)  ;   cf.  qaanquam. 

Thought,  anxiety,  care,  melan- 
choly, K.  1374.     A.S.  thoht. 

Thousand,  a  thousand,  K.  811. 
A.S.  thusend,  Goth,  thusundja, 
taihun,  ten,  sund  (hund),  one 
hundred. 

Thral,  a  slave,  a  serf,  K.  694. 
A.S.  thrall,  Gael,  traill. 

Thredbare,  bare  to  the  thread, 
threadbare,  P.  290.  A.S.  thraed. 


Thread,  thread,  K.  1172.  AS. 
thraed  from  thraimn,  to  twist ; 
Ger.  drehtn,  alluding  to  the 
original  method  of  spinning. 

Threissha,  to  thresh,  P.  536.  A.S 
thcrscan,  to  beat,  Ger.  dreschen. 

Thresta,  to  thrust,  to  force  one's 
way,  K.  1754 ;  of.  A.S.  thrist, 
bold,  Goth,  trudan,  to  tread. 

Thridda,  third,  K.  605,  1413. 
A.S.  thridda,  from  thri. 

Thriftily,  carefully,  in  the  man- 
ner of  a  thriving  man,  P.  105. 
From  thrive,  thrift. 

Throng,  a  crowd,  throng,  K. 
1754.  A.S.  thring,  thringan,  to 
crowd,  Ger.  dringen. 

Thurgh,  through,  K.  62,  362. 
A.S.  tJiurh,  Ger.  durch  ;  cf. 
thorough,  thorough/are.  See 
Thirle. 

Thurghfare,  a  thoroughfare,  a 
journey,  K.  1989.  A.S.  thurh- 
fare. 

Thurgh-girt,  to  pierce  through, 
K.  152.     See  Girt. 

Thurghout,  quite  through, 
throughout,  K.  238. 

Thus,  in  this  manner,  P.  7C1. 
Formed  from  the  demonst.  as 
how  from  the  interrogative. 
A.S.  (inst.  case),  thgs. 

Thysalvan,  thyself,  K.  316,  Lit- 
erally a  dative  =  by  thyself. 

Til,  to,  K.  620.  O.N.  td,  to ;  cf. 
until. 

To  (verbal  prefix)  has  an  inten- 
sive force,  Ger,.t«. 

To,  at,  P.  30 ;  for,  K.  1853. 

To-breste  (p.p.  to-brosten),  to  burst 
asunder,  ta  break  to  pieces,  K. 
1753, 1833, 1899.  A.S.  to-herstan. 

Togidre,  together,  togidre  alle,  all- 
together,  P.  824.  A.S.  to-gaedre. 
From  gather. 

To-hewen,  to  hew  to  pieces,  K. 
1751.     A.S.  to-heawan. 

ToUen,  to  toll,  to  take  toll,  P. 
562.  A.S.  toll,  Ger.  zoll,  a  tax ; 
cf  talian,  to  compute.  Wedg- 
Avood  refers  to  Lat.  telonium. 

To-morwa  =  the  morrow,  P.  780. 
See  note. 


20 


3o6 


GLQ^SARIAL  INDEX. 


Tonge,  the  congue,  P.  712.     A.S. 

tunge,   Goth,    tttggo,   Ger.   zunge, 

Lat.  lingua  (dingua). 
Tonne-greet,  as  large  as  a  tun,  K. 

113G.     Fr.  tonne,  a  barrel,  Lat. 

tina,  a  Avine  vessel. 
Too,  a  toe,  K.  1868.     A.S.  ta  {tan 

=  a  twig,  sprout), —  as  though 

the  toes  were  sprouts  growmg 

from  the  feet. 
Took   (pr.  of  fake),  conjectured, 

understood,  K.  140.     A.S.  tac- 

m'an ;  cf .  token. 
Top,  foretop,  P.  590. 
Toret,  a  turret,    K.    1051.      Fr. 

tonrette,  dim.  of  tour,  Lat.  tnrris. 
Torettz,  rings,  a  ring  affixed  to 

the  collar  of  a  dog,  whereby  he 

might  be  fastened,  K.  1204. 
Tormente,  to  torment,  to  torture, 

K.  456.  O.Fr.  tori)ienfer.  See  note. 
Tome,  to  turn,  K.  162.     Fr.  tour- 

ner. 
To-sehrede,  to   shred  to  pieces, 

torn  to  shreds,  K.  1751.     A.S. 

to-sceadan ;  cf.    A.S.   sceran,  to 

cut. 
Toun,  a  town,  P.  217 ;  see  note. 

A.S.  tun,  an  enclosure,  tijnan,  to 

enclose;    from    tan,    rods,    the 

means  by   wdiicli  enclosure  is 

effected ;  cf.  yard. 
Tour,  a  tower,  K.  172,     A.S.  tor?-, 

Fr.  tour,  Lat.  turris. 
Trace,  a  track,  P.  176.     Fr.  trace, 

Lat.  tractus  ;  cf.  trail. 
Trapped,  decked,  K.  1299.     Fr. 

drap,  cloth  ;  cf.  draped. 
Trappures,  trappings,   K.    1641  ; 

cf.  drapery. 
Traunce,  a  trance,  K.  714.     Fr. 

transe,  Lat.  transitus  :  (1)  death  ; 

(2)    a  state   resembling   death, 

syncope. 
Travaile,  labor,  toil,  K.  1548 ;  see 

note.     Fr.  travail. 
Trays,  traces,    K.    1281.      O.Fr. 

trace,  Lat.  trahere,  to  draw. 
Trede,  to  tread,  K.  2164.     A.S. 

tredan,  Ger.  treten. 
Tresoun,   treachery,  a   violation 

of  allegiance,  K.  1143.     Fr.  tra- 

hison,  Lat.  traditio. 


Trespace,  Irespass,  K.  960.    Fr. 

trespai>ser. 
Tresse,  a  tress,  K.  191.    Fr.  tresse. 

Literally,     a     braid     of    three 

strands. 
Trete,  a  treaty,  K.  430.    Fr.  traits, 

Lat.  tracfatus. 
Tretys,       slender,      w^ell-propor- 

tioned,  P.  152. 
Trewe,    trusty,    P.    531.       A.S. 

treowa,  trust,  Goth,  triggws,  true. 
Trewely,  truly,  simply,  P.  481. 
Trompe,  a  trumpet,   P.   674,  K, 

1316.  Fr.  trompe,  O.H.G.  trumba, 

a  drum  ;  cf .  trondione. 
Tronehoun,  a  staff,  a  spear  han- 

die,  K.  1751.     Lat.  truncus. 
Trone,   a  throne,    K.    1671.     Fr. 

troiie,  Lat.  tlironus. 
Trouthe,  truth,  P.  46,  763 ;  troth, 

agreement,  K.  752.  A.S.  treowth, 

that  in  wdiich  one  may  trust ; 

A.S.  treowian,  to  trust. 
Trowe,  to  believe,  P.  155,  524,  K. 

662.     A.S.  treowian,  to  trust. 
Trussed    up,    tied   up,   P.    681. 

O.Fr.   torser,    Fr.    trousser,   Lat. 

torquere,  to  twist. 
Tukked,  clothed,  P.  621.     A.S. 

tucian,  to  clothe,  O.E.  tuck,  Ger. 

tuck,  cloth. 
Tunge,  a  tongue,  P.   265.     See 

Tonge. 
Tuo,  two,  P.  639.     A.S.  tuoa,  Ger. 

zwei,  Lat.  duo. 
Turneynge,    a    tournament,    K. 

1699  ;  part,  of  tome. 
Twenty,    twenty,   P.    24.      A  S. 

twentig  ;  twen  =  twain ;  tig,  Lat. 

dec-em,  Gr.  df/ca,  ten.    Ten,  O.S. 

tehan,   Goth,   iaihun  =  Lat.    de- 
cern. 
Tweye,  two,  twain,  P.  704,  792, 

K.  40,  270,  836.     A.S.  twegen, 

tiva  ;  ct.  twin,  to  twin  (separate), 

twine,  twist,' twig,  tway-h\side,twi- 

light,  twelve,  twenty. 
Twine  (p.p.  tivine),    to  twine,   to 

spin,    twined,   K.    1172.      A.S. 

twinan  (from  twa),  to  spin  ;  cf. 

twist  (a  cord). 
T Wynne,  to  separate,  depart,  P. 

835.     From  two. 


OLOSSAPdAL  INDEX. 


307 


Tyme,  the  proper  time,  K.  974. 

A.S.    tima,    time;    yetimian,    to 

happen. 
Typet,  a   hood,  cowl   (used  as  a 

pocket),  tippet,  P.  233  ;  dim.  of 

tape,  a  baml. 
Tythes,   tenths,    tithes,    P.   486. 

A.S.  teotha,  from  tijn,  ten. 

u. 

Unces,  small  portions,  P.  677  ; 
literally  ounces,  Lat.  uncia,  a 
twelfth  part  of  a  lb.  =  an  ounce; 
of  a  foot  =  an  inch. 

Uncouth,  Uncowth,  rare,  un- 
known, K.  IGo'J.  A.S.  uncut/i, 
from  cunnan,  to  know. 

Undergrowe,  undergrown,  P. 
156. 

Understonde,  to  understand,  to 
venture,  P.  746.  A.S.  under- 
standan,  Ger.  unterstehen. 

Undertake,  to  affirm,  P.  288;  lit- 
erally to  take  upon  one's  self; 
of.  undertaking . 

Unknowe  (p.p),  unknown,  P. 
126,  K.  548. 

Unkonnyng,  ignorant,  inex- 
perienced, K.  1535;  cunnin;/ == 
knowing.  A.S.  cnnnan,  to  know. 

Unset,  not  previously  agreed 
upon,  K.  666. 

Unto,  till,  until,  K.  286.  Goth. 
xinte. 

Untresse  d,  unfastened,  unbraided, 
K.  1431,     See  Tresse. 

Untrewe,  untruly,  P.  735. 

Unwist,  unknown,  K.  2119.  A.S. 
icita  n . 

Unyolden  (p-p),  imyielded,  un- 
conquered,  K.  1784.  A.S.  (/ijl- 
dan,  to  pay. 

Up,  upon,  K.  849. 

Up-haf  (pr.  of  up-heve),  raised  up, 
K.  1570.     A.S.  hebban. 

Upright,  lying  upon  the  back,  K. 
1150.     A.S.  np-areht,  erect. 

Upriste,  uprising,  K.  193. 

Up-so-doun,  upsidedown,  K.  519. 
iSo  is  the  old  relative  sim^  cor- 
rupted into  side  by  a  false  ety- 
mology. 


Upsterte,  started   up,  arose,   K. 

441 ;  cf.  noun,  upstart. 
Up-yaf  (pr.  of  np-(jive),  gave  up, 

sent  up,  K.  1569. 
Usage,  experience,  K.  1590,  Lat. 

vsus. 
utterly,  wholly,  K.  296,  705.  A.S. 

utor,   comp.   of  ut.     Prom   the 

idea  of  remoteness  or  extremity 

readily  passing  to  the  idea  of 

completion. 

V. 

Vasselage,  service  as  a  vassal, 
valor,  K.  2196  ;  from  W.  gwas, 
a  youth,  arose  the  Mid.  Lat. 
vassus,  a  retainer,  a  vassal. 

Vavasour,  one  next  in  dignity  to 
a  baron,  P.  360.  Allied  to  vas- 
sal, valet. 

Veil,  a  vail,  P.  695 ;  strictly  the 
sail  of  a  ship.  Lat.  velum  {vehu- 
lum),  from  vchere,  to  carry. 

Venerye,  hunting,  the  chase,  P. 
166,  K.  1450.  Lat.  venari ;  cf. 
t"e;»'sort  =  game  taken  in  hunt- 
ing ;  so  used  in  Gen.  xxvii.  3. 

Ventusyng,  cupping,  K.  1889. 
Lat.  ventus,  the  blood  being  ex- 
tracted by  atmospheric  press- 
ure. 

Venym,  venom,  poison,  K.  1898. 
Lat.  venenum,  poison. 

Verdite,  decision,  verdict,  P.  787. 
Lat.  vere-dictum. 

Vernicle,  a  handkercliief  having 
upon  it  a  picture  of  Christ,  P. 
685.     See  note. 

Verraily,  truly,  P.  338.  Fr.  vrai, 
Lat.  vet-e. 

Verray,  true,  very,  P.  72,  Fr. 
vrai,  Lat,  veruni. 

Vertu,  ability,  power,  K.  578, 
1391,  1891.  Fr.  verta,  Lat.  vir- 
tus, from  vir,  a  man. 

Vertuovis,  active,  energetic,  P. 
251  ;  upright,  virtuous,  P.  515. 
Lat.  vir. 

Vese,  a  storm,  a  rush  of  wind,  K. 
1127. 

Vestimentz,  garments,  vestments, 
K.  2090.  Goth,  wasti,  Lat.  testis. 


3o8 


GLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


Veyn,   vain,   K.    236.     Fr.    vain, 

Lat.  vanus,  empty, 
Veyne,  a  vein,  P.  3  ;  vei/ne  blood, 

blood  of  the  veins,  bleeding,  K. 

1889.     Lat.  vena. 
Viage,  a  voyage,  a  journey  by 

sea  or  land,  P.  77,  723.     Lat. 

viaticum,   passage    money,    Fr. 

voyage. 
Victorie,  victory,  K.  lo8L      Fr. 

victoire,  Lat.  vincere,  to  conquer. 
Vigiles,  vigils,  a  religious  service 

held  in  tlie  evening,  P.  377  ;  see 

note.     Literally,  watchitu/s. 
Vileinye,  Vilonye,  ungentleman- 

ly   conduct,   P.  70 ;   see  note ; 

low  breeding,  P.  726  ;  depraved 

discourse,  P.  740  ;  to  do  vileinye, 

to  cause  disgrace,  K.  84. 
Visage,  countenance,  that  which 

is  seen,  P.  628.     Lat.  visas ;  cf. 

Ger.  gesicht. 
Visite,  to  go  to  see,  to  visit,  P. 

493,  K.  336.     Lat.  videre,  to  see. 
VitaiHe,    victuals,   P.    248,    569, 

749.     Lat.  victualis,  from  vivere, 

to  live. 
Vouchesauf,  to  grant,  vouchsafe, 

P.  807,  812.     to  vouch  or  guar- 
antee safety.  Lat.  vocare  salvum. 
Voyde,  to  expel,  evacuate,  throw 

out,  K.  1893. 

w. 

"Waar.     See  "War. 

"Wages,  wages,  promised  reward, 
K.  945.  A.S.  ived,  a  pledge, 
Lat.  vas,  Mid.  Lat.  vadium,  Fr. 
gage,  gages,  money  paid  to  a 
person  as  a  pledge  for  his  ser- 
vices. 

"Waillyng,  mourning,  bewailing, 
K.  508.     Icel.  valla,  to  lament. 

"Wake-pleyes,  funeral  games, 
games  played  while  watching 
the  dead,  K.  2102 ;  wake  = 
Avatch.     A.S.  tvacian. 

"Wal,  a  Avail,  K.  132.  A.S.  weall, 
Lat.  vallum. 

"Walet,  a  wallet,  a  knapsack,  P. 
681  ;  cf  Fr.  mallette,  dim.  of 
vudle,  bag. 


Walk,  walking,  K.  211.  See 
note. 

Wan  (pr.  of  wijnne),  won,  earned, 
P.  442  ;  conquered,  K.  131. 

Wan,  pale,  K.  1598.  A.S.  ivan, 
from  ivanian,  to  wane,  —  the 
appearance  of  one  in  waning 
health. 

Wandryng,  wandering,  wanton- 
ness ;  cf .  Cant.  T.  6237 ;  sulfer- 
ing(?),  P.  467.     See  note. 

Wane,  to  Avane,  to  decrease,  K. 
1220.    A.S.  Iranian,  to  diminish. 

Wanhope,  despair,  K.  391.  Hope 
that  has  waned. 

Wantoun,  free,  unrestrained,  P. 
208.  A. ^.  ivan  =  un,  itowen^=- 
educated,  from  teon,  to  train. 

Wantounesse,  Avantonness,  af- 
fected nicety  that  seeks  to  be 
different  from  others,  P.  264. 

Wantyng,  missing,  lack,  K.  1807. 
A.S.  u-ana,  deficiency. 

War,  Waar,  aAvare,  P.  157 ;  Avary, 
cautious,  P.  309  ;  /  was  waar,  I 
Avas  aware,  I  perceived,  P.  157 ; 
he  was  war.  Is..  38.  A.S.  ivar ; 
cf   Ger.  wahren,  to  perceive. 

Ward,  a  suffix  denoting  situation, 
direction,  P.  793 ;  see  note. 
A.S.  weard,  weardes ;  cf.  Lat. 
vert  ere,  to  turn.  >• 

Ware,  to  Avarn,  to  beAvare,  P. 
662.     A.S.  warian. 

Waste,  Avasted,  ruined,  K.  473. 
A.S.  iveste,  Lat.  vastus. 

Wastel-breed,  fine  Avhite  bread, 
P.  147.  A.S.  loist,  victual,  O.Fr. 
gasteau,  a  cake. 

Wawes,  waves,  K.  1100.  A.S. 
ivaeg,  ivagian,  to  wave,  ivag. 

Wayke,  Aveak,  K.  29.  A.S.  wac, 
from  ivican,  to  give  Avay,  Ger. 
weichen. 

Waylle,  to  Avail,  K.  73 ;  to  cry, 
wa-la,  wo  ! 

Waymentyng,  A\'ailing,  lamen- 
tation, K.  137,  1063.  O.Fr. 
ivaimenter,  to  lament,  cry,  ivoe! 

Wayte,  to  Avatch  for,  look  for,  P. 
525,  K.  364;  to  attend  to,  P. 
571.  A.S.  waeccan,  Ger.  zoachten. 

W^ebbe,  a  Aveaver,  P.  362.     A.S. 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


309 


wehha,   a  weaver,  icefan,   Ger. 

rceben,  to  weave  ;  cf.  ivife. 
Wedde,  a  pledge,  K.  350.    A.S. 

iced,  hence  wedding,  wedlock. 
Wedden,  to  wed,  to  marry,  K. 

10,  974,  2240.     A.S.  weddian,  to 

covenant,  to  proniijfe. 
"Wede,  clothing,  K.  148 ;  see  note. 

A.S.  waed. 
Weel,  well,  K.  68,    1265.     A.S. 

ivael,  icel. 
"Wei,  full,  very,  K.  653 ;  wel  better, 

much  better,  K.  390  ;  wel  neyh, 

very  nearly,  K.  472.     A.S.  wel, 

Ger.  rcold. 
"Welaway,   alas  !    K.    80.      A.S. 

wa-la-wa,  wo-oh-wo,  sometimes 

spelled  well-a-dcii). 
Welcome,  a  salutatory  interjec- 
tion, P.  762,  854.     A.S.  wilcume, 

ivilcumian,  to  greet. 
Wele,  weal,  wealth,  K.  37.     A.S. 

wela,  from  well,  Ger.  wohl. 
Welle,    a    spring,   a   source,   K. 

1425.     A.S.  we(dl,  from  weallan, 

to  boil,  spring  up. 
Wende  (n)  (pr.   icente),  to  go,  to 

wend  (one's  way),  P.  16,  21,  K. 

1356,  1412.     A.S.  wendan,  Ger. 

wenden. 
Wane   (pr.    icende),  to   ween,  to 

vainly  hope,   K.  411 ;   to   sup- 
pose,    think,    K.     797.      A.S. 

wenan,  to  hope,  to  think,  Goth. 

icengan,  Ger.  icdhnen. 
Wenged,  winged,  K   527. 
Wepe    (n),   (pr.    iceep,  ivep,   p.p. 

ivepen),  to  weep,  to  weep  aloud, 

P.   144,   230,   K.    1487.      A.S. 

wepan,  Goth,  icopjan,  to  call,  to 

cry,  A.S.  ivop,  outcry;  cf.  whoop, 

war-ichoop,  ichooping-counyv. 
Wepen  (pi.  wepne),  a  weapon,  K. 

733,  743.     A.S.  iraepen. 
Were,  to  protect,  K.  1692.     A.S. 

iverian,  to  defend ;  cf .  to  wear. 
Were  (pr.    iverede),    to   wear,  P. 

75,  564.     A.S.  iverian. 
Werken,   Wirche,  to   work,   to 

act,    P.    779,    K.   1901.     A.S. 

wifrcan,  Ger.  iverhen. 
Wern  =  weren,   pi.    of    were,    P. 

591. 


Werre,  war,  P.  47,  K.  429.     Fr. 

guerre,  A.S.  ivaer,  Du.  werre. 
Werreye,  to  make  war  upon,  K. 

626,   686.     O.Fr.   werrier,  from 

werre,  guerre,  war. 
Werse,  worse,  K.  366.    A.S.  ivi/rs, 

coinp.  of  weor,  bad. 
Werte,  a  wart,  P.  555.  A.S.  tceart, 

Ger.  warze. 
Wessch  (pr.  of  n-asache),  washed, 

K.  1425.     A.S.  wascan,  pr.  irosc. 
Wette  (pr.  wette),  to  wet,  wetted, 

P.  129.     A.S.  waet. 
Wex,  wax,  P.  675.     A.S.  weax. 
Wexe  (pr.  ice.re),  to  increase,  to 

grow,    K.    504.      A.S.    ivea.ran, 

pr.  weoT,    Ger.  wachsen,   Goth. 

ivahsjan. 
Wexyng,  increasing,  growing,  K. 

1220. 
Weye,  a  way,  P.  34,  467,  771. 

A.S.  weg,  Goth,  icigs,  Lat.  via. 
Weye,  to  consider,  to  weigh,  K. 

923.     A.S.  icegan,  to  move,  to 

weigh ;    figuratively,    denoting 

mental  action.     Cf.  po7ider,  de- 
liberate. 
Weyle,  to  wail,  K.  363.     To  cry, 

wa-la. 
Weymentynge,  lamentation,  K. 

44.     See  Waymentynge. 
Whan  (ne),    wlien,    1^.    5;    whan 

that  ^^  when   (it  is  that),  P.  1, 

801. 
What,  why,  P.  184 ;  well  then  ! 

P.  854 ;  in  what  respect,  K.  171. 

Lat.  rpiid;  rchat . .  .  what,  partly 

. .  .  partly,  K.  595.   Lat.  quid . .  . 

quid. 
Wheel,  Whel,  a  wheel,   K.  67, 

1165.    A.S.  hweol,  allied  to  Goth. 

icahvjan  ;  Lat.  volcere,  Eng.  ical- 

low. 
Whelkes,   pimples,  swellings,  P. 

632.      A.S.    hwi/lca,   a  swollen 

vein ;  cf .  tcale,  weal,  ivheal. 
Wher,   where,    K.    1952.      A.S. 

liwaer. 
Wher,  whether,  K.  990,  1394. 
Where,  in  what  place,  irhere  as, 

where,   there   where,    K.    255 ; 

where  that,  where   (it  is  that), 

K.  39. 


3IO 


GLOSSARIAL   INDEX. 


Wherfore,  for  which,  K.  710. 

Wherwith,  with  what,  P.  302. 
Whether,    whether  that,  whether 
(it  is  that),  P.  570. 

"Whether,  which  of  two,  K.  998, 
a  comp.  form  of  ivhich. 

"Which,  what,  what  sort  of,  P. 
40 ;  which  that,  who,  P.  796,  K. 
1203 ;  which,  K.  138  ;  which  a, 
what  sort  of  a,  K.  1817.  A.S. 
hwH/Iic  htvylc  =  like  what. 

Whii  (es),  whilst,  P.  35,  397. 
A.S.  hivil,  time;  cf  awhile. 

■Whilom,  formerly,  once,  P.  795, 
K.  1,  1545.  A.S.  hwilum,  dat, 
pi.  of  hivil ;  ct.  seld-oin. 

Whit,  Whyte,  white,  P.  238,  K. 
195,  A.S.  hwit,  Goth,  hiueits, 
Ger.  weiss,  Sansc.  Qvita. 

"Whoso,  whosoever,  P.  731.  A.S. 
swa-hiod-swa.  Swa  (so)  is  a  pro- 
noun ;  cf.  sucli,  swilc ;  Goth. 
swa-leiks ;  cf.  Lat.  qn.isquis. 

"Widewe,  a  widow,  P.  253,  K. 
313.  A.S.  widuwe,  Lat.  vidua, 
Sansc.  vi-dhaoa  =  without-hus- 
band. 

"Wif,  a  woman,  wife,  P.  445. 
A.S.  loif,  from  we  fan,  to  weave  : 
cf.  wif-mnn,  woman,  ivaepman, 
weapon-man.  The  word  origi- 
nally denoted  sex  rather  than 
marriage.  Cf.  good-wife,  house- 
ivife. 

"Wight,  a  creature,  a  man,  P.  71, 
326.  A.S.  loiht,  Ger.  ivicht ;  cf. 
ivhit,  aught. 

"Wight,  weight,  K.  1287,  1662. 
A.S.  iviht,  from  wecjan,  to  weigh. 

"Wikke,  bad ;  physically  weak, 
morally  wicked,  K.  229.  A.S. 
wican,  to  be  weak,  sioican,  to 
deceive;  cf.  iviccian,  to  bewitch. 

"Wikkedly,  craftily  (using  the  arts 
of  the  wizard),  K.  877.  See 
note.  A.S.  wiccian,  to  enchant ; 
cf.  loitch. 

"Wilne,  to  desire,  wish,  K.  751, 
1256.     A.  S..  wiinian. 

"Wiltow,  wilt  thou,  K.  686. 

"Wilwe,  a  willow-tree,  K.  2064. 

Wind,  a  breeze,  wind,  P.  170. 
Root  wa,  to  blow. 


"Wirche  (pr.  icroughte,  p.p.  wroght), 

to  work,   P,  497,  K.  154,  1901. 

A.S.  wijrcan,  pr.  worhte ;  cf.  Gr. 

Ipyov,  work. 
Wis  =  iwis,   certainly,   K.   1928. 

A.S.  gewis. 
"Wisdom,     "Wysdom,    "Wisdam, 

learning,  P.  575.    A.S.  wisdom. 
"Wise,  Wyse,  manner,  mode,  K. 

480, 1386.    A.S.  wise,  Ger.  weise; 

cf.  guise. 
"Wisly,    certainly,    surely,   truly, 

K.   1005,    1376.      A.S.   wislice, 

Ger.  gewisslich. 
"Wiste.     See  "Wite. 
"Wit,    judgment,    understanding, 

P.   279,   573,   746.      A.S.    wit, 

mind. 
Wite   (I,  he  wot,  thou  wast,  we 

iviten,  pr.   iviste),    to  know,    P. 

224,  280,  389,    K  298,  305,  936, 

976.     A.S.  witan;  pr.  wiste;  cf. 

wittij. 
With,    with,    at   the   same   time 

with,  P.  856  ;  by,  P.  406,  705;  in 

composition  usually  =  a^rtms^ 
"Withalle,  besides   (with  all   the 

rest),  P.  127 ;  in  spite  of  all,  P. 

283. 
Withholde    (pp.),    maintained, 

held  with,  P.  511. 
Withouten,  without,  P.  538,  783, 

K.  347;  besides,  P.  461.    A.S. 

loithutan. 
Withsayn,  Withseie,  to  gainsay, 

to  speak   in  opposition  to,    P. 

805,  K.  282.     A.S.  wifh-saeg;,en. 
"Wityng,  knowledge,  iveeting.     K. 

753.     A.S.  witan,  to  know. 
"Wive,  "Wyve,  dat.  of  wife.     K. 

1002. 
Wodly,  fiercely,  madly,  K.  443. 

A.S.    wod,    violent,    mad ;    cf. 

wadan,  to  go  with  force;  Woden, 

Wednesdaij . 
"Woful   (comp.   ivqfullere),  full  of 

woe,   unfortunate,  K.  205,  521, 

ll98,  482. 
Wol  (e)  (2   pres.   wolt,  pi.    woln, 

wolle,  pr.  wolde,  pi.  ivolden),  will, 

P.  27,  723 ;  wish,  P.  803,  805, 

K.    31,    766,    1263;    ivolde    him 

schake     (subj.),     might      (did) 


GLOSSAEJAL   nWEX. 


311 


shake  him,  K.  615.  A.S  wil- 
lan,  ic,  he,  wille,  thu  wiit ;  pi. 
u'illatli ;   pr.  s.  ivolde,  pi,   icoldon. 

Wommanhede,  womanhood,  wo- 
manly feeling,  K.  890. 

■Wonder,  wonderful,  K.  121.3; 
wonderfully,  P.  483,  K.  796.  A.S. 
wundor,  icundrnm,  Ger.  wunder. 

Wonderly,  wondrously,  P.  84. 
A.S.  wundorlice. 

"Wone,  custom,  P.  335,  K.  182. 
A.S.  ivtme,  wunian,  Ger.  ivolinen, 
to  dwell. 

Wone  (pres.  p.  wonynq),  to  dwell, 
P.  388,  K.  2069.     A.S.  loiwian. 

"Wonyng,  a  dwelling,  P.  606. 
A.S.  iviniunq,  Ger.  ivohnmig. 

Woo,  wailing,  lamentation,  K. 
42 ;  an  exclamation  of  sorrow, 
P.  351.     A.S.  ica,  Lat.  vae. 

Wood,  Wode,  mad,  furious,  P. 
184,  582,  K.  471.  A.S.  icod, 
Scot.  ivud. 

Woode,  a  forest,  K.  664.  A.S. 
ivndii. 

Woodebynde,  W'Oodbine,  K.  650. 
A.S.  wuduhind. 

Woodecraft,  hunting,  P.  110. 

Woodnesse,  madness,  insane 
rage,  K.  1153.     A.S.  wodnes. 

Wook  (pr.  of  wake),  awoke,  K. 
635.     A.S.  wacan,  pr.  icoc. 

Woot,  Wot.     See  Wife. 

Worsehipe,  honor,  K.  1046.  A.S. 
weorthsc/'/ie. 

Worsehipe,  to  honor,  to  pay  re- 
gard to  the  ivorth  of  one,  K.  1393. 

Worschipful,  honorable,  K.  577. 

Worstede,  a  woollen  cloth,  P. 
262.  So  named  from  Worstead, 
the  town  where  it  was  first 
manufactured. 

Worth,  equal  in  worth  to,  P. 
182;  worth  while,  P.  785.  A.S. 
ireortJte. 

Worthinesse,  bravery,  P.  50. 

Worthy,  Worthi,  of  worth,  de- 
serving of  honor,  noble,  P.  43, 
217  ;  brave.  P.  68 ;  able,  P.  579. 

Wost.     See  Wite. 

Wrastle,  to  wrestle,  K.  2103. 
A.S.  uvaesdian,  from  ivraestan, 
to  writhe,  to  wrest. 


Wrastlynge,  wrestling,  P.  548. 
Wrecche,     a     wretch,     K.     73  ; 

wretched,  K.  248.  A.S.  icraecc.a. 
Wrecchede,     wretched,    K.    63. 

A.S.  wntec. 
Wreke,  to  avenge,  to  wreak,  K. 

103.     AS.  wrecan. 
Wrethe,  a  wreath,  K.  1287.  A.S. 

trrath,  what  is  twisted. 
Wrighte,   a   mechanic,    P.    614. 

A.S.    ivyrhta,    from    icijrcan,    to 

work  ;  now  used  only  in  com- 
pounds ;  e.g.  ivheehcrif/ht. 
Writ,  a  writing,  Hofij  Writ,  the 

scrii)tures,  P.  739.     A.S.  writ. 
Wroth,    angry,    K.    321.      A.S. 

trrat/i,  from  icrithein,  to  twist. 
Wroughte,Wroght.  SeeWirche. 
Wyd  (e),  spacious,  broad,  P.  28; 

large,  P.  491,  K.  897.    A.S.  wid, 

Ger.  weit ;  cf .  void. 
Wyke,   a    week,    K.   681 ;  fyfiy 

ivijkes  ■=  a  year,  K.  992.     A.  S. 

icice,  Ger.  icoche. 
Wymmen,  women,  P.  213.     A.S. 

wifmen,    loefen,    to    Aveave ;   cf. 

Ger.  iveib,  from  icehen. 
Wymple,  a  covering  for  the  neck, 

chin    and   face,    laid    in   folds, 

worn  by  nuns,  P.  151.     Ger. 

irimpel ;  cf.  gimp. 
Wymple,  to  cover  with  a  wim- 
ple, P.  470. 
Wyn,  wune,   P.    334.     A.S.   win, 

Ger.     wein,     Lat.     vinum,     Gr. 

olvog. 
Windowe,  a  window,    K.    1130, 

i.e.  wind-door.     O.Norse,  vind- 

aurja,  wind-eye ;  the  A.S.   was 

eaffduru,  eye-door. 
Wynne  (pr.  ican),  to  gain,  win,  P. 

427,  442  ;  to  gain  advantage  of 

one,   P.  594.     A.S.  winnan,  to 

toil,  get  by  labor. 
Wynnynge,  gains,  winnings,  P. 

275. 
W'yppyltre,   the  cornel-tree,    K. 

2065. 
Wys,  affable,  well-mannered,  P. 

68;    (cf.  guise,  manners),  wise, 

skilled,  P.  309,  569.     A.S.  wis. 
Wyse.     See  Wise. 
Wyve.     See  Wive. 


312 


GLOSSABIAL   INDEX. 


Y. 

Yaf  (pr.  of  give),  gave,  P.  177. 
Yate,  a  gate,  K.  557.     A.S.  gat. 
Ybete    (p-P-     of    beat),     beaten, 

forged,  neioe  ybete,  newly  forged, 

K.1304.     A.^.beatan. 
Ybrent  (p.p.  oibrenne),  burnt,  K. 

88.  A.S.  brennan;  cf.  bixmd,  brown. 
Ybrought,  (p.p  ),  brought,  K.  253. 
Yburied,   buried,   K.    88.      A.S. 

byrigan ;  cf.    Ger.    bergen,    A.S. 

beorgan,  to  liide,  Eng.  burrow. 
Ycleped,    Yclept    (pp.    clepen), 

called,  P.  376,  410.     A.S.  ge- 

clipod. 
Ycome,  come,  P.  77. 
Ycorve    (p.p.  of    kerve),   cut,   K. 

H55.     A.S.  ceorfan. 
Ydel,  idle,   K.   1647.     A.S.    idel, 

vain,  Ger.  eitel. 
Ydoon-of,  doffed,  K.  1818. 
Ydrawe,  drawn,  P.  396,  K.  86. 
Ydropped,  bedropped,  bedewed, 

K.  2026. 
Ydryve  (n)  (p.p.  oidryve),  driven, 

K.  1149. 
Ye,  the  eye,  K.  1149. 
Ye,  yea,  K.  809.     See  note. 
Yeddynges,     romances,     poetic 

tales,  P.  237.     A.S.  ykldian,  to 

sing. 
Yeeldyng,   the  yield,  return,  P. 

596.     A.S.  gyldan,  to  pay. 
Yeer,   Yer   (s.    &  pi.),   a  year, 

years,  P.  82,  601.     A.S.  gear. 
Yeldehalle,  a  guild-hall,  the  room 

where  a    corporation    or  guild 

usuall}^  met,  P.  370.    Dan. gilda, 

a  feast ;  cf.  company. 
Yelpe,   to  boast,   K.   1380 ;    see 

note.     A.S.  gelpan,  Eng.  yelp. 
Yelwe,    yellow,    P.  675.   '    A.S. 

geolmve,  Ger.  gelb ;  cf.  gold. 
Yeman,  a  yeoman,  P.  101.     See 

note. 
Yards,  a  rod,  P.  149;  see  note  ; 

a  yard  long,  K.  192.  AS.  gyrd. 
Yeve  (n),  Yive  (p.p.  yei^e,  yeven), 

to  give,  P.  223,  487,  K.  57.    A.S. 

gifan . 
Yfovmd,   found,    K.    353.      Ger. 

gefunden. 


Ygrounde,    sharpened,     ground, 

K.  1691. 
Yholde  (p  p.  of  hold),  considered, 

K.  1516 ;  held,  K.  2100. 
Yif,  if,  K.  412.     A.S.  gif,  Goth. 

yabai,  ibai.     Sometimes  errone- 
ously referred  to  gifan,  to  give. 
Yifte,  a  gilt,  K.  1340.     A.S.  gift. 
Yit,  yet,  in  addition,  besides,  P. 

70 ;  hitlierto,  K.  1056  ;  yit  now, 

just  now,  K.  298.     A.S.  get. 
Ylik,  Yliche,   alike,   P.   592,  K. 

1876.     A.S.  gelic. 
Ymages,   images,   P.   418.     Lat. 

imago    [mimago),    imitari  {mimi- 

tari),  to  imitate. 
Ymaginacioun,    conception,     K. 

236  ;  see  note.    Lat.  imaginatio. 
Ymaginyng,  conceiving,  plotting, 

K.  1137. 
Ymaked,  made,   K.    1997.     A.S. 

qemacod. 
Ymet,  met,  K.  1766. 
Ymeynd  (p.p.  of  rnenge),  mingled, 

K,   1312.      A  S.    mengian,   Ger. 

mengen,  to  mix  ;  cf .  mi)igle. 
Ynned,   lodged,    entertained,   K. 

1334.     A.S.  irinian. 
Yolden  (p.p.  of  yeelde),   yielded, 

K.  2194.     A.S. 'gyldan. 
YoUe,  to  yell,  to  cry  aloud,  K. 

1814.      A.S.   gyllan,   giellan,    to 

yell ;  cf.  galan,  to  sing. 
Yollyng,  yelHng,  loud  crying,  K. 

420 ;  vulgo,  yowling. 
Yond,    there,    yonder,    K.    241. 

A.S.  geond,  Ger.  jeti-er ;  cf.  be- 

yond. 
Yong  (e),  young,  P.  7,  79,  213. 

A.S.  geong,  Ger.  jung,  Lat.  ju- 

venis. 
Yore,  a  long  time,  ful  yore  agon,  a 

very  long    lime    ago,    K.    955. 

A.S.    geara,   allied   to    gear,   a 

year. 
Youre  (gen.  pi.),  of  you,  P.  783. 

A.S.  eower. 
Yourself  (pi.),  vourselves,  K.  977. 
Youthe,    youtii,    P.   613.       For 

youngth,  which  form  is  used  by 

Spenser. 
You  (dat.  and  ace),  you,  P.  34, 

38.     A.S.  eow. 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX. 


Z^Z 


Ypayed,  paid,  K.  944. 

Yralt,  bereft,  plundered,  K.  1157 ; 

see  note.     A.S.  reajian. 
Yre,  anger,  ire,  K.  14i4.   Lat.  ira. 
Yroiinen,    run    ovei',    K.    IbtJo. 

A. 8.  be-j/rnan. 
Ysene,  seen,  to  be  seen,  P.  592. 

A. IS.  (jesuiven. 
Yserved,  served,  K.  105. 
Yslayn,    slain,    K.   1850.      A.S. 

(jeslaei/en . 
Yspreynd      (p.p.      of     sprenge), 

sprinkled   over,    scattered,    K. 

1311.  A  ^.spre)iga7i,  to  s\)vink\e. 
Ystert,  escaped,  K.  734. 


Ystorve  (see  Starve),  dead,  died, 
K.  1156.  A.S.  steorj'an,  Ger. 
sterben. 

Yteyd,  tied,  P.  457.     A.S.  r,e-tead. 

Ytorned,  Yturned,  turned,  K. 
3«(),  lliOl.     Pr.  tounier. 

Ywrought  (p  p.  of  icyrche),  made, 
wrought,  P.  196. 

Ywympled,  decked  with  a  wim- 
ple, P.  470. 

Z. 

Zephyrus,  the  west  wind,  a 
zephyr,  a  gentle  breeze,  P.  5. 


;>V  J 


Old  and  Middle  English. 


[Anglo-Saxon.] 


Beowulf:  An  Anglo-Saxon  Poem. 

(  Vol.  I.  of  the  Library  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry?)  Contains  also  the 
Fight  at  Finnsburh.  With  Text  and  Glossary  on  the  basis  of  Heyne's 
fourth  edition,  edited,  corrected,  and  enlarged  by  James  A.  Harrison, 
Professor  of  English  and  Modern  Languages,  Washington  and  Lee 
University,  and  Robert  Sharp,  Professor  of  Greek  and  English,  Tu- 
lane  University  of  Louisiana.  Second  Edition,  revised.  i2mo.  Cloth, 
x-j-  325  pages.     Mailing  price,  3i-25;   Introduction,  $1.12. 

This  edition  is  designed  primarily  for  college  classes.  It  has  been 
recommended  by  Professors  Dowden  and  Nicoll  to  their  classes  in 
the  Universities  of  Dublin  and  Glasgow. 

Private  letters  from  Mr.  Henry  Sweet,  Mr.  Furnivall,  Prof.  \V.  W. 
Skeat,  Prof.  Toller  of  the  Owens  College,  Manchester,  and  many 
other  scholars,  heartily  commend  the  work. 


P.  A.  March,  Prof,  of  Anglo-Saxon, 
Lafayette  College  :  The  best  there  is 
for  class  use.     {Nov.  2,  1885.) 

A.  ^elia,rae,  Maitre  de  Conferences 
a  la  Faciilte  des  Le  tires  de  Paris  .-An 
admirable  book,  which  I  shall  often 
have  occasion  to  quote,  and  shall  be 
most  happy  to  recommend,  (fan.  23, 
1886.) 

Dr.  S.  M.  Shute,  P?-of.  of  English 
in  Columbian  Univ. :  The  issues  of  the 
Library  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry  are 
just  what  students  need,  and  have  long 
needed,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  they 
will  soon  become  indispenable  text- 
books in  a  required  course  for  a  de- 
gree. .  .  .  Since  I  have  used  your  very 
successful  and  admirable  edition  of 
Heyne's  Be6wulf,  the  results  are  much 
more  satisfactory.     {Jan,  19,  1886,) 


Hiram  Corson,  Prof  of  English, 
Cornell  Univ.  :  This  edition  is  altogeth- 
er the  one  best  adapted  to  the  wants  of 
American  students.  I  have  used  it  in 
my  post-graduate  course  in  Anglo- 
Saxon,  and  shall  continue  to  do  so. 
{Feb.  1886.) 

The  Nation,  in  a  Review  of  the 
Second  Edition  :  The  editors  have  prof- 
ited conscientiously  by  the  criticisms 
of  their  several  reviewers.  Wherever 
feasible,  mistakes  have  been  corrected 
in  situ,  by  cutting  the  plates.  Longer 
corrections  are  given  in  the  supple- 
mental pages,  320-323.  Pages  324-5 
give  "  Recent  Readings  and  Sugges- 
tions" advanced  by  German  and  Eng- 
lish scholars  within  the  last  two  years. 
Thus  revised,  the  American  Be6wulf  is 
a  fresh  evidence  of  editorial  zeal  and 
indefatigable  industry. 


OLD  AND  MIDDLE  ENGLISH. 


CcBdmon's  Exodus  and  Daniel. 

(  Vol.  II.  of  the  Library  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.'^)  Edited  from  Grein, 
with  Notes  and  Glossary,  by  Theodore  W.  Hunt,  Professor  of  Rhetoric 
and  EngUsh  Language  in  Princeton  College.  Second  Edition,  revised. 
i2mo.     Cloth.     121  pages.     Mailing  price,  65  cts. ;   Introduction,  60  cts. 

This  edition  is  designed  mainly  for  college  classes,  and  includes 
5S9  lines  of  the  "Exodus,"  and  765  of  the  "Daniel,"  with  Intro- 
duction, Notes,  and  Glossary.  There  is  no  part  of  our  oldest 
poetry  as  good  as  Caedmon,  which  is  so  difficult  of  access  in  this 
country,  and  of  which  there  is  more  immediate  need.  "It  is  a 
matter  of  honest  pride,"  says  Professor  March,  "  to  see  American 
scholars  publish  a  neat  and  convenient  edition  of  it." 


notes  in  a  sufficient  number  of  instan- 
ces to  convince  us  of  their  soundness 
and  reliability. 

The  Athenasum,  London:  The 
volume  will  be  helpful,  and  we  welcome 
it  and  the  promised  series  heartily. 

The  British  Mail,  London :  It  is 
in  every  respect  admirably  adapted  to 
aid  the  Anglo-Saxon  student. 


The  Independent,  N'ew  York: 
An  admirable  addition  to  the  series  of 
Anglo-Saxon  poetry. 

The  Advertiser,  Boston :  The  edi- 
tion is  concise,  accurate,  and  conven- 
ient, and  commends  itself  to  all  practical 
students. 

The  Schoolraaster,  Lo?tdon  :  We 
have  tested    the  vocabulary  and    the 

Andreas :  A  Le,^end  of  St.  Andrew.     ' 

(^Vol.  III.  of  the  Library  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.')  Edited  with  Critical 
Notes  by  W.  jNI.  Baskervill,  Professor  of  English  Language  and 
Literature  in  Vanderbilt  University,  Text  and  Notes,  viii  +  78  pages. 
Paper.     25  cents.     To  be  issued  soon  in  Cloth,  w'ith  Glossary. 

Prof.  Richard  P.  Wlilcker  of  Leipzig  made,  with  his  own  hand, 
a  minute  and  painstaking  collation  of  the  Ms.  with  the  printed 
text.  Soon  after  his  return  from  Vercelli  he  sent  the  present 
editor  (one  of  his  former  pupils)  this  collation,  and  on  it  the  Ameri- 
can edition  of  the  poem  is  based.  Grimm's,  Grein's,  and  Kemble's 
editions  have  been  freely  used.  The  chief  canon  of  criticism  fol- 
lowed has  been  to  adhere  to  the  reading  of  the  Ms.  wherever  it  was 
possible.  This  has  led  to  a  wide  divergence  from  the  other  editors 
in  several  places,  and  it  is  hoped  that  in  consequence  thereof  a  better 
text  is  here  griven  than  has  heretofore  existed. 


T.  W.  Hunt,  of  Princeton  College  : 
It  is  very  neatly  issued  and  in  text  and 
notes  is  highly  satisfactory. 


Modern  Languag-e  Notes  {J. 
W.  Bright) :  The  editor's  work  bears 
the  stamp  of  great  care  and  industry. 


OLD  AND  MIDDLE  ENGLISH. 


An  Old  English  Grammar. 

By  Eduard  SiEVERS,  Ph.D.,  riofessor  of  Cermaric  Philology  in  the 
University  of  Tiibingen;  translated  and  edited  by  ALBiiRTS.  CooK,  Pii.D. 
(Jena),  Professor  of  the  EngHsh  Language  and  Literature  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  California.     Mailing  price,  ^1.25;   for  introduction,  $1.12. 

It  seems  to  be  admitted  that  sound  scholarship  in  Old  English 
is  at  present  impossible  without  the  use  of  Sievers'  Grammar,  and 
the  opinion  is  gaining  ground  that,  without  sound  scholarship  in 
Old  English,  there  is  none  in  English  of  any  date.  Professor  Cook 
being  a  student  of  philology  in  the  University  of  Jena  when  Sievers' 
Grammar  was  passing  through  the  press,  and  having  not  only  seen 
the  Ms.,  but  read  the  proof-sheets,  was  in  a  position  peculiarly 
favorable  for  understanding  the  author''s  views. 

In  the  translation,  the  original  plan  of  the  grammar  has  been  left 
intact.  With  the  exception  of  one  or  two  unimportant  re-distribu- 
tions of  matter,  the  modifications  are  confined  to  excisions,  addi- 
tions, 'changes  in  terminology,  and  changes  in  accent.  Important 
supplementary  matter  has  been  furnished  by  articles  in  various 
philological  journals.  With  regard  to  accent,  the  third  edition  of 
Sweet's  Reader  has  been  followed. 

Hitherto,  Old  English  Grammars  have  virtually  been  founded 
upon  the  language  of  the  poetical  texts.  This  is  to  be  deplored, 
especially  when  we  consider  that  the  manuscripts  in  which  they  are 
contained  are  uniformly  late ;  that  the  texts  themselves  were  com- 
posed at  an  earlier  period,  and  frequently  in  another  dialect ;  and 
that,  in  our  present  versions,  ancient  forms  are  jumbled  with  more 
modern  ones,  and  specimens  of  the  most  widely  separated  dialects 
are  occasionally  united  in  the  same  composition. 

In  the  present  treatise,  on  the  other  hand,  the  language  of  the 
older  prose  writings  has,  to  a  greater  extent  than  heretofore,  been 
chosen  as  the  basis  of  grammatical  investigation,  since  it  is  safe  to 
assume  that  they  represent  in  some  measure  a  single  dialect. 

The  historical  method  has  been  followed,  and  the  author  has 
endeavored  to  discriminate  between  early  and  late  forms. 

It  is  hoped  that  his  version  will  be  found  not  only  to  present  in 
English  the  most  approved  text-book  on  the  subject,  but  to  present 
it  in  a  form  better  adapted  for  the  use  of  students,  and  in  some 
respects  more  in  accord  with  the  views  of  the  best  authorities. 


OLD  AND   MIDDLE   ENGLISH. 


OPINIONS   AND   REVIEWS. 


American  Journal  of  Philolo- 
gy :  The  well-recognized  merit  of 
Sievers'  unrivalled  Angelsdchsische 
Grammatik  created  an  imperative  de- 
mand for  an  English  version.  That 
this  demand  would  be  met  was  inevit- 
able ;  how  it  would  be  met  was  doubt- 
ful. Delay  and  apprehension  are  now 
happily  removed  by  the  appearance  of 
this  volume. 

The  characteristic  feature  of  Sievers' 
work  is  its  independence  of  preceding 
Anglo-Saxon  grammars,  and  its  de- 
pendence upon  the  most  authentic 
documents  of  the  earliest  periods  of 
the  language,  discriminated  as  to  age 
and  dialect.  Prof.  Cook's  leading 
purpose  has  been  to  supply  to  our 
insthutions  of  learning  a  serviceable 
text-book.  To  this  end  the  require- 
ments of  a  perspicuous  and  idiomatic 
style,  and  of  a  clear  and  consistent 
terminology,  have  been  well  met. 

In  the  distribution  of  the  matter  and 
the  variety  of  the  type,  such  an  im- 
provement of  the  original  is  effected 
as  might  in  itself  almost  justify  the 
new  version. 

Deserving  of  notice,  moreover,  is 
the  care  with  which  Prof.  Cook  has 
corrected  many  erroneous  cross-refer- 
ences, his  amplification  of  the  Index, 
and  his  excellent  modification  of  the 
system  of  accentuation.  We  need 
hardly  add  that  the  work  is  worthy  of 
general  acceptance. 


The  Independent:  It  may  be 
said  to  mark  an  era  in  the  history  of 
Old  or  First  English,  somewhat  as  did 
Thorpe's  first  edition  of  Rask's  Gram- 
mar (1830).  Upon  no  scholar  among 
us  could  the  work  of  presenting  this 
grammar  in  modern  English  form 
have  more  appropriately  fallen  than 
upon  Prof.  Cook. 

The  volume  is  a  scholarly  edition  of 


a  scholarly  original,  and  is  not  only 
translated  into  English,  but  is  made  as 
English  in  spirit  and  method  as  such  a 
work  can  be. 

The  Schoolmaster,  London  :  Both 
as  a  work  of  reference  and  as  a  text- 
book, this  volume  is  a  valuable  addi- 
tion to  the  resources  of  the  English 
student. 

Prof.  Henry  Johnson  {Bowdoin 
College),  in   the  ''Andover   Review" : 
Every  student  of  English  owes  a  great 
debt   of  thankfulness   to   Prof.  Sievers 
for  making  his  Angelsdchsische  Gram- 
matik.    It  was  published  in  1882,  and 
was  recognized  at  once  as  far  superior 
in  fulness  and  accuracy  of  treatment 
of  the   oldest   English   dialects  to   all 
preceding  grammars  of  the  language. 
It  was  founded  on  the  prose  literature. 
Since  1882  the  most  important  contri- 
bution to  Old  English  grammar  is  the 
publication    of    emendations    of    his 
grammar.      Besides     these    materials, 
Prof.   Cook   has   incorporated   in   the 
American   edition   the   results   of   the 
work  of  other  scholars  up  to  the  pres- 
ent, and  has  produced  what  is  by  far 
the  best  Old  English  grammar  to  be 
had. 

Charles  F.  Richardson,  Prof,  of 
Anglo-Saxon  and  English,  Dartmouth 
College:  Anglo-Saxon  students  have 
been  waiting  with  interest  for  the 
work,  and  it  is  fortunate  that  it  has 
been  translated  by  a  competent  Am- 
erican scholar,  himself  a  pupil  of  the 
author. 


W.  D.  McClintock,  Director  of 
the  College  of  English,  Chautauqua 
University :  I  am  greatly  pleased  with 
Prof.  Cook's  translation  of  Sievers'  Old 
English  Grammar,  and  shall  use  it  in 
our  classes. 


OLD  AND  MIDDLE  ENGLISIL 


Chaucer's  Parlament  of  Foules. 

A  revised  Text,  with  Literary  and  Grammatical  Introduction,  Xotes,  and 
a  full  Glossary.  By  T.  R.  L(nJNSBURY,  Professor  of  English  in  the 
Sheffield  Scientific  School  of  Yale  College.  i2mo.  Cloth,  iii  pages. 
Mailing  price,  55  cts.;   Introduction,  50  cts. 

The  editor  has  collected  all  the  facts  that  are  known  in  regard 
to  this  work,  and  discusses  the  chief  theories  that  have  been 
advanced  as  to  its  production  or  character. 


F.  J.  Child,  Professor  of  English 
Literature  in  Harvard  University :  It 
is  so  good  a  book  that  I  am  inclined 
to  slight  even  better  poetry  for  it. 

S.  H.  Carpenter,  late  Prof,  of 
Eng.  Lit.,  Univ.  of  Wis.:  No  work 
equalling  this  in   scholarship  has  yet 


appeared  in  America,  so  far  as  I  know, 
upon  any  Old  English  author. 

F.  A.  March,  Prof  of  Anglo-Saxon, 
Lafayette  Coll.  :  It  has  a  great  deal  of 
good  work  in  it.  Surely  any  college 
or  good  high-school  class  can  read 
Chaucer  with  ease  and  interest  from 
this  volume. 


Carpenter's  Anglo-Saxon  Grammar  and  Reader. 

An  Introduction  to  the  study  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  Language,  comprising 
an  Elementary  Grammar  and  carefully  graded  selections  for  Reading, 
followed  by  Explanatory  Notes  and  a  Vocabulary.  By  Stephen  H. 
Carpenter,  late  Professor  of  Rhetoric  and  English  Literature  in  the 
University  of  Wisconsin.  i2mo.  Cloth.  212  pages.  Mailing  price, 
70  cts. ;   Introduction,  60  cts. 

This  book  is  designed  rather  to  prepare  the  way  for  more  ad- 
vanced works  like  those  of  Dr.  March,  than  to  supersede  or  come 
into  competition  with  them.  At  the  same  time  it  lias  proved  satis- 
factory as  a  complete  introduction  to  the  study  of  Anglo-Saxon. 

Carpenter's   English  of  the  XIV.  Century. 

Illustrated  by  Notes,  Grammatical  and  Philological,  on  Chaucer's  Pro- 
logue and  Knight's  Tale.  By  Stephen  H.  Carpenter.  i2mo.  Cloth. 
313  pages.     Mailing  price,  ^i.oo;   Introduction,  90  cts. 

Prepared  with  the  design  of  affording  the  means  of  a  critical 
study  of  early  English,  to  a  younger  class  of  pupils  than  have  hith- 
erto been  able  to  pursue  it  profitably ;  and,  as  it  is  only  from  a 
careful  study  of  literature  that  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  a  lan- 
guage can  be  gained,  the  work  is  also  intended  to  serve  as  an  intro- 
duction to  the  study  of  English  Literature. 


OLD   AND   MIDDLE   ENGLISH. 


Beowulf,  and  The  Fight  at  Finnsburgh. 

Translated  by  James  M.  Garnett,  M.A.,  LL.D.,  Professor  of  the 
English  Language  and  Literature  in  the  University  of  Virginia.  With 
Facsimile  of  the  Unique  Manuscript  in  the  British  Museum,  Cotton. 
Vitellius  A  XV.  Second  edition,  revised.  i2mo.  Cloth.  146  pages. 
Mailing  price,  ^i.io;    Introduction,  ^i.oo. 


J.  Earle,  Prof,  of  Anglo-Saxon  in 
the  Univ.  of  Oxford,  Eng. :  It  is  a  very 
complete  piece  of  work,  bringing  the 
whole  subject  up  to  the  very  front  line 
of  its  progress,  and  supplying  not  only 
a  readable  translation  on  a  new  plan, 
but  also  what  was  much  wanted,  a  com- 
plete guide  and  index  to  all  parts  of  the 
study  of  the  poem.     {Nov.  22, 1882.) 

W.  W.  Skeat,  Prof  of  Anglo- 
Saxon  in  Cambridge  Univ.,  Eng.  :  I 
am  very  glad  to  have  it,  as  it  contains 
so  much  that  is  useful. 

J.  Schipper,  Prof  of  English 
Philology  in  the  Univ.  of  Vienna :  An 
excellent  translation.  I  read  it  over 
with  the  greatest  delight  at  one  sitting. 

F.  J.  Child,  Prof  of  English  Lit- 
erature, Harvard  University :  An  ex- 
cellent version  of  Beowulf,  a  book 
which  I  am  glad  to  have  for  many  rea- 
sons. I  think  your  idea  as  to  the  kind 
of  translation  desirable  is  entirely  right, 
and  you  have  carried  it  out  with  no 
wrenching  of  the  modern  dialect  to 
suit  the  old.  From  your  book  no  one 
can  fail  to  get  a  large  part  of  the  im- 
pression which  the  original  should 
give ;  and  I  think  that  many,  with  it  in 
hand,  will  be  encouraged  to  try  to 
make  out  the  old  sc6p's  song,  who 
would  never  have  attempted  this  with- 
out your  aid.     {Dec.  3,  1882.) 

Francis  A.  March,  Prof  of  Eng- 
lish and  Comparative  Philology  in 
Lafayette   Coll. :    It  seems   to  me  to 


show  great  care  and  labor,  and  to  be 
as  complete  and  accurate  as  could  be 
reasonably  expected  from  anybody.  A 
great  part  of  it  is  happy,  —  gives  the 
thought  and  rhythm  both.  This  is  the 
best  translation  so  far  in  our  language, 
and  will  do  honor  to  American  scholar- 
ship. 

William  Hand  Browne,  Asso- 
ciate and  Librarian  in  Johns  Hopkins 
Univ. :  I  have  succeeded  in  collect- 
ing in  this  library  every  edition  of  that 
work,  every  translation,  and  —  except 
one  or  two  —  every  dissertation  on  the 
poem  that  is  known  to  exist.  I  have, 
therefore,  from  the  point  of  information 
at  least,  some  ground  to  go  on  when  I 
say  that  in  my  judgment  Prof.  Garnett's 
translation  is  greatly  superior  to  any 
that  has  appeared ;  reflecting,  as  no 
other  does,  the  form  and  color  as  well 
as  the  statements  of  the  original. 

J.  A.  Harrison,  Prof  in  Washing- 
ton and  Lee  Univ.,  Lexington,  Va.  :  It 
meets,  I  think,  a  very  decided  want, 
and  meets  it  well.  The  bibliography 
alone  is  of  the  greatest  value  to  collec- 
tors and  Beowulf  students. 

The  Nation,  N.Y. :  It  supersedes 
the  work  of  all  previous  editors,  German 
or  English.  Professor  Garnett's  general 
remarks  and  criticisms  are  also  admir- 
able. We  congratulate  American 
scholarship  upon  having  at  last 
achieved  in  our  speech  of  to-day  a 
thoroughly  honest  and  intelligible  re- 
production of  our  earhest  great  poem. 


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